Nearly 71,000 loans have been processed and approved for Manitobans taking advantage of the province’s low-interest, Winter Tire Program, Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler and Manitoba Public Insurance announced today.
“Manitobans know the importance of road safety and continue to understand that winter tires have significant safety merits,” said Schuler. “This low-interest winter tire program assists Manitobans to make the purchase and equip their vehicles with snow tires with the ultimate goal being fewer winter collisions and safer roads.”
Launched in September 2014, the program provides loans of up to 48 months at prime plus two per cent up to $2,000 per vehicle.
“Numerous road safety studies confirm that winter tires reduce braking distances by lessening sliding on ice and snow,” said Ward Keith, vice-president, Business Development & Communications and chief product officer, Manitoba Public Insurance.
“Road safety should be a priority of everyone who travels on our roadways. Reducing fatalities and injuries is a goal which can be achieved when everyone makes the commitment to safety and preparing for winter with the use of winter tires is one way to keep our roads safe.”
Customers interested in participating in the program are encouraged to visit Manitoba Public Insurance’s website at www.mpi.mb.ca for more information on program rules and to select one of 620 participating retailers throughout Winnipeg and rural Manitoba.
Quick Facts:
- The average length of a winter tire loan is currently about three years.
- The average loan amount is approximately $1,200.
- At temperatures just below freezing on dry pavement, winter tires have been shown to reduce stopping distances by as much as 30 per cent compared with all-season tires.
- Winter tires offer significantly better traction on snow-covered or icy road surfaces at temperatures well below -30°C than all-season tires have at 4°C.