Seventy-three per cent of Canadian drivers believe unpredictable weather is being driven by climate change and that winter tires are now more important than ever — a factual boon to dealers in provinces where these tires are not mandatory by law.
The data comes from a new Leger survey commissioned by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada. It found that winter tire usage across the country is now at 78 per cent, representing a 10-point increase from 2016 — when it was 68 per cent. If we do not include Québec, winter tire usage climbed to 73 per cent.
“When it comes to climate change, there’s no doubt that changing weather patterns are a serious concern for Canadian drivers,” said Carol Hochu, President and CEO of TRAC, in a statement. “We all see the impact of climate change and the increasing frequency of sudden and severe winter weather events.”
She said the good news is that the number of drivers investing in winter tires has gone up over the past 10 years. Hochu also noted that 79 per cent believe using winter tires “saved them from being involved in a potentially hazardous driving situation.”
The most common reason for drivers to opt for winter tires (79 per cent) is to protect their family, while 36 per cent cite a mandatory law in their province. Other common reasons include lower insurance premiums (20 per cent), trusted advice from family and friends (16 per cent), and advice from retailers (8 per cent). However, many still do not consider these tires necessary.
“As one in five drivers still opts out of using winter tires, educating consumers remains essential, and greater adoption of winter tires is crucial for making our roads safer for everyone,” adds Hochu.
