No. H 001/08
For release - January 7, 2008

Transport Canada Reminds Canadians of the Importance of Using Four Winter Tires

The video provides visual comparisons of:

• stopping distances between vehicles equipped with four "all-season" tires and with four winter tires;
• stopping distances between vehicles equipped with two winter tires and with four winter tires;
• cornering performance between vehicles equipped with four "all-season" tires and with four winter tires;
• cornering performance between vehicles equipped with two winter tires and with four winter tires.

While each province regulates tire usage, Transport Canada recommends that motorists install four winter tires on their vehicles during the winter season. These tires will assist drivers in controlling their vehicles safely in slippery conditions.

"Viewers will clearly see the differences in performance, and the commentary reinforces the importance of winter tires during the colder season," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "I urge all Canadians to look for the mountain snowflake symbol when purchasing winter tires. The symbol indicates that the manufacturer attests the tires are designed specifically for use in winter conditions."

Through Road Safety Vision 2010, Canada's national road safety plan, the Government of Canada's vision is to have the safest roads in the world. The plan targets a 30 per cent decrease in the average number of road users killed or seriously injured by 2010.

Transport Canada provided the technical expertise, personnel and equipment for the production of the video, and the Automobile Protection Association provided funding. Only similar vehicles were paired in order to ensure a fair comparison. Each segment of the video features all-wheel drive, rear wheel drive and front-wheel drive vehicles.

To view the video, visit www.betiresmart.ca/video/apa.html.

For further information about winter tire safety, visit www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safevehicles/safetyfeatures/wintertires.

For more information on Road Safety Vision 2010, visit www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safedrivers/trafficsafety.

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