TRAC’s 2021 Canadian Consumer Winter Tire Study found that 76 per cent of Canadian motorists now use winter tires. Outside Quebec, where winter tires are mandated by law, winter tire usage stands at 69 per cent, up from 65 per cent in 2020. The Study also shows that 79 per cent of winter tire owners believe driving a vehicle equipped with winter tires has saved them from being involved in a potentially hazardous driving situation such as loss of control or a collision; and 89 per cent say they use winter tires because they are protecting their family with the safety advantages of winter tires. Thirty-seven per cent of drivers say COVID will continue to restrict their winter driving, while a quarter expect to return to pre-pandemic levels.

The survey finds that 61 per cent of drivers are planning a summer road trip or a drive to a vacation destination. Among younger drivers aged 18 to 34 and 35 to 44, that number climbs to 70 per cent and 72 per cent respectively. Not surprisingly, COVID-19 has had a major impact on summer driving intentions: 60 per cent of drivers say the restrictions imposed by the pandemic had a big influence on their decision to take a vacation involving driving this summer; 44 per cent of those not planning a road trip cite COVID fears as the reason, while 24 per cent say their summer vacation plans do not involve driving and 17 per cent say they cannot afford a vacation because of pandemic-related financial hardship.

The Association’s 2020 Winter Tire Survey shows that 81 per cent of winter tire owners believe driving a vehicle equipped with winter tires has saved them from being involved in a potentially hazardous driving situation such as loss of control or a collision. The Study also found that 72 per cent of Canadian motorists now use winter tires; and examined how COVID-19 influenced driving habits, and it is no surprise that 65 per cent of motorists surveyed reported driving significantly less because of the pandemic.

The Association’s 2019 Canadian Consumer Winter Tire Study shows that 80% of winter tire owners believe driving a vehicle equipped with winter tires has saved them from being involved in a potentially hazardous driving situation such as loss of control or a collision. The Study also found that 75% of Canadian motorists now use winter tires.

A big majority of winter tire owners believe that driving a vehicle equipped with winter tires has saved them from being involved in a potentially hazardous driving situation; and 80% of winter tire owners believe driving a vehicle equipped with winter tires has saved them from being involved in a potentially hazardous driving situation such as loss of control or a collision.

Canadian drivers have glaring gaps in their knowledge about how to maintain proper tire inflation, according to a new tire maintenance attitudinal survey conducted by Leger on behalf of the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada.

Winter tire shipments across Canada have grown at an annualized rate of 4% over the past five years making winters the fastest growing tire category. The growth of this category is due to efforts by tire makers, retailers and the government to educate drivers about the superior traction and shorter stopping distances provided by winter tires. Government incentives to make winter tires more affordable have also had a positive impact.