A story about studs

You thought we meant what kind of studs?

Sorry. We just looked around the office and we definitely can't help you with that.

But we did get this really interesting news release about studded tires, just in from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation: ********************* Northern drivers would get more winter driving options

Proposed bill would allow use of studded tires

TORONTO — The Ontario government is making good on a commitment to give Northern Ontario drivers more choices by introducing legislation that would allow the use of studded tires, Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar announced today.

"Northern communities have been asking for this for a very long time," said Takhar.

"We want to give drivers the ability to choose from a variety of different tire technologies, based on driving conditions."

There are approximately 250,000 motor vehicle collisions on Ontario roads per year, about 20,000 of them in Northern Ontario.

Of these, about 14 per cent occur in icy conditions.

"Given the severe weather in Northern Ontario that often results in treacherous driving conditions, clearly, this proposed legislation is good news," said Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci.

"In particular, permitting the use of studded tires in our region is yet another indicator that our government is responsive to the needs of Northern Ontario residents." The proposed legislation, if passed, would allow vehicles registered in Northern Ontario to use studded tires anywhere in Ontario.

Only lightweight studs are proposed in order to minimize the damage to Ontario roads.

All other Canadian provinces and territories allow the use of studded tires.

*********************** Backgrounder

Improving winter road safety in Northern Ontario

The Ontario government is making good on a commitment to give Northern Ontario drivers more winter driving options.

The Transit and Road Safety Bill introduced in the Legislature today by Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar would, if passed, allow an exemption from the current prohibition on the use of studded tires in Northern Ontario.

It is one element of wide-ranging legislation and regulations being proposed by the government to improve safety on roads and highways across the province.

There are approximately 250,000 motor vehicle collisions on Ontario roads per year, about 20,000 of them in Northern Ontario.

Of these, about 14 per cent occur in icy conditions.

The Transit and Road Safety Bill would, if the legislation passes, allow, through exemptions, the use of studded tires by Northern Ontario drivers.

It would give drivers the freedom to choose from a variety of tire technologies, based on driving conditions.

All other Canadian provinces and territories allow the use of studded tires.

Studded tires were first introduced in Ontario in the late 1960s.

Their use rose rapidly from about two per cent to 32 per cent in 1970, causing severe pavement damage and increased safety hazards.

A Ministry of Transportation study concluded the safety benefits were limited and pavement maintenance costs would increase substantially if the use of studded tires continued.

Studded tires were subsequently banned in 1971.

With today’s technology in studded tires, damage to Ontario’s roads is minimized.

In 1999 and again in 2003, the ministry conducted a comprehensive review of the latest developments in studded and winter tire technologies, focusing on jurisdictions in Canada, the U.S., Japan and Europe.

The government would be proposing, if the legislation passes, to adopt the Scandinavian standard for "lightweight studs," the latest technology available.

In addition, the government plans to promote the use of new technology winter tires.

Ontario's roads are the safest in North America. The government is committed to maintaining this excellent safety record by easing congestion, making transit more attractive, improving road safety by targeting the worst driving offences and giving municipalities the tools to improve safety in their communities.

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