Vehicles equipped with winter tires are in fewer crashes than vehicles without winter tires, according to a Manitoba Public Insurance report.

Based on analysis of winter month claims (November to March), winter tire use is estimated to reduce collision claim frequency by 6.3 per cent.

The analysis was based on collision claims over the insurance years 2011-12 to 2017-18. Frequency was measured by comparing claim frequency before and after a winter tire purchase for 111,872 vehicles.

Of the 111,872 vehicles, there were 13,925 winter-month claims occurring before winter tires were installed and 9,802 winter-month claims occurring after winter tires were installed, stated the report.

“The analysis also concluded that in the instance of a collision, damage severity was 5.7 per cent lower for the vehicle equipped with winter tires, compared to the vehicle which did not have winter tires,” said Satvir Jatana, Vice President, Employee and Community Engagement, Manitoba Public Insurance. “The lower severity for claims with winter tires was consistent for both single and multiple vehicle collisions.”

Winter tires employ softer rubber compounds to enhance grip. Many industry studies report that braking distances are reduced when the winter-tire equipped vehicle is travelling on snow, slush or ice-covered roads.

Winter Tire Use

Winter tire use in Manitoba/Saskatchewan is consistently below the national average, according to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC); a national trade association which produces an annual report on the winter tire industry. In its 2017-18 report, Manitoba/Saskatchewan had a 60 per cent winter tire use, compared to the Canadian average of 76 per cent.