Toronto Injury Lawyer Blog
It’s snow tire time. We’ve had some pretty mild weather thus far in Ontario, but it’s getting to be that time of year. Don’t believe me?
Today the Weather Network announced that Ontario would get hit with its first blast of winter. They are predicting up to 60cm of snow in some regions on account of lake effect snow. They are warning drivers this will be the first hit of winter, with some hazardous winter driving conditions.
A few things to note:
- The people/networks which predict the weather are often wrong. These are only weather predictions so they aren’t going to be correct 100% of the time. Catchy headlines are used to engage readers (pay per click). Reporting on the weather that everything is fine and there is nothing to worry about won’t engage as many eyeballs. But predicting doom and gloom entices more people to click and read. So take these predictions with a grain of salt.
- Having said that about false weather predictions; we’re certainly due for a meaningful snowfall in Ontario. We are in the last week of November, and we haven’t really felt, or seen the winter. That means it wouldn’t surprise me if we got hit with a winter storm of some proportion. How big, or small that storm will be is anyone’s guess.
- The first snowfall of the winter makes for erratic driving! It seems that people forget how to drive when it snows, or they’ve never driven in snowy conditions before. Both statements can be true. Not everyone on our roads knows what it’s like to drive, or how to drive, when it snows. Snow, sleet, slush and ice create unique driving conditions which are only seen in winter weather countries like Canada.
- We also see the procrastination of putting on snow tires having an effect. Many people don’t think of putting on snow tires until it’s snowed a few times and their vehicles are sliding around the roads like sleds. They know that they have snow tires, and that they need them; but they wait until it’s too late to get them installed. That’s quite common. It’s recommended that snow tires be changed over when temperatures consistently fall below 7 degrees; even if it isn’t snowing. Snow tires are formulated to grip better when it’s cold. With global warming, this date is going to be more erratic, and get pushed back later and later.
- On that note, here is a free marketing opportunity for any tire brand (Michelin, Cooper, Bridgestone etc.) or the tire industry. National Snow Tire Changeover Day. This idea would be good to heightening awareness about snow tires, and giving people a reminder to get them installed. It may also increase sales of snow tires. The companies can also provide incentives to purchasing and installing tires on National Snow Tire Changeover Day. The problem you might encounter is that the day might change depending on the weather. Hot temperatures would delay it, while fast cold snaps might move it forward. The National Date might also vary depending on where you live. You would have different temperatures and climates depending on the province (or area within a province) where you live. In any event, I’m sure that the marketing executives at the tire companies can figure things out. That’s why they’re paid the big bucks.
