The merits of having snow tires are clear if you live in a climate where snow covers the ground for months at a time. But is making it a law to drive on winter-rated tires overkill? That is what Quebec has done with The Provincial Snow Tire Law, for the second year running.

It is important to consider that before the law was put in place, 90 percent of drivers in Quebec used snow tires, and for a good reason. The remaining 10 percent were the cause of more than one third of wintertime accidents. The correlation between snow tires and accidents is clearly identifiable, and this law is truly for the wellbeing of the people.

Drivers caught without winter-rated tires between December 15th and March 15th are subject to a $300 fine. Considering that the cost of four winter-rated tires isn't much more than the fine, it makes sense to purchase them preemptively.

The counterargument for this law hinges on the government being overbearing and out of place, and there are some great philosophical arguments to be had. The bottom line is that being a smart winter driver on a good set of winter-tires just makes sense in the snow belt.

Source: Wired