It’s everyone’s favourite time of the year: winter! Along with winter comes snowflakes and kittens and warm woolen mittens. But also slippery and icy roads, lessened visibility, scraping your car in the cold, dark mornings and waiting for the heat to kick in. And of course, snow tires.
Snow tires seem a pretty simple thing, but there are a few details that can sometimes be missed and can result in a ticket. That’s what this blog is going to cover.
Tricked out: Vehicle Modifications and the Law Pt. III – Tires
One of the biggest things to note when getting tires put on your car is to make sure that they are the proper size. The Highway Traffic Act states:
HTA Section 70 (3):
No person shall operate or permit to be operated upon a highway a vehicle that is,
(a) fitted with a tire that does not conform with the standards and specifications prescribed in the regulations; or
(b) fitted with tires that are installed in a manner, in a place or in a combination that does not conform with the specifications prescribed in the regulations. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 70 (3)
A vehicle’s original tire size can be found in the owner’s manual, or on the tire label that is located on the driver’s doorjamb, glove box lid or inside the fuel hatch. The size of the tire is also printed on the side of the tire.
Another big thing is knowing when you need to get new tires.Tires are one of the most important parts of the car. They are the only thing that that comes in contact with the road, and thus, must always be in working order. Eventually, tires wear out and become unsafe to drive with.
HTA Regulation 625: Tire Standards and Specifications Section 2:
A tire,
(a) shall have no exposed cord;
(b) shall have no tread or sidewall cuts or snags deep enough to expose the cords;
(c) shall have no abnormal visible bump, bulge or knot; and
(d) other than a tire specifically designed for regrooving or recutting and marked as being so designed shall not be regrooved or recut. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 625, s. 2.
Section 3:
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a tire shall not be worn to the extent that in any two adjacent major grooves at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire,
(a) the tread wear indicators contact the road; or
(b) less than 1.5 millimetres of tread depth remains. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 625, s. 3 (1).
Police officers will look for bulges in the tire, knots, or exposed cords. If they spot these they can pull you over and examine further which can lead to a ticket.
The ticket for improper tires is $90 plus $20 surcharge. For improperly installed tires it is the same.
It’s important to maintain the tire pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Rotating tired periodically will also help. We are experts at traffic law, not necessarily at car maintenance. If you’re unsure about your tires or have any questions, go to your local auto shop or dealership.
Every situation is different. Remember you have a right to fight your ticket. At Bulwark Legal Services we provide free consultations. You can go to our website and send us a copy of your ticket. We will help you decide the right course of action to take.
