37% of Canadian drivers say COVID-19 will restrict their wintertime driving

A current survey reveals the COVID-19 pandemic’s affect on winter driving has lessened however stays vital and driver training about winter tires stays important.

In line with Tire and Rubber Assocation of Canada (TRAC) examine performed by Leger, 37 per cent of Canadian drivers say COVID-19 will proceed to limit their wintertime driving in contrast with final 12 months’s information, when the examine discovered 65 per cent of drivers drove much less within the wintertime because of the pandemic.

“The findings of this 12 months’s winter tire examine are nice information for wintertime street security,” stated Carol Hochu, president and CEO of TRAC.

“Our survey discovered most Canadian drivers have deep understanding of the superior dealing with and stopping energy of winter tires. Two-thirds of drivers using on winter tires cite defending their household as their high cause for investing in winter tires.”

The TRAC examine says drivers 55 years of age and over restrict their winter driving attributable to COVID-19 and 26 per cent intend to return to pre-COVID ranges.

In response to the survey outcomes, CAA Saskatchewan says there’s little question that individuals drove much less throughout the pandemic, particularly throughout wintertime.

“We noticed a slight lower in roadside incidents — not dramatic — however in all probability a ten to fifteen per cent lower in our roadside help calls,” stated Scott McIntyre, CAA Saskatchewan vice-president.

McIntyre stated there’s an uptake in winter tires in some provinces in Canada which have mandated winter tires. He stated those that don’t purchase winter tires cite the fee.

“It’s a good level to many however individuals want to recollect, you solely use these tires half of the 12 months so your tires final twice as lengthy,” he stated.

TRAC’s 2021 winter tire survey reveals that fifty per cent of Saskatchewan drivers use winter tires to stop lack of management or collisions. In line with the examine, 47 per cent of Saskatchewan motorists don’t use winter tires.

“Winter tire legal guidelines, decrease auto insurance coverage premiums and gasoline financial system had been different frequent motivators. The not-so-good information is almost a 3rd of motorists exterior Quebec who select to not use winter tires nonetheless don’t perceive that the superior traction and stopping energy of winter tires is important for protected winter driving,” Hochu stated.

“Shopper training may be very a lot wanted to encourage the next stage of winter tire adoption.”

The full survey results can be viewed on the TRAC website.

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Winter driving suggestions and what it’s best to have in a street security package