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Get your studs out earlier

You can now put on studded tires earlier and keep them on longer, if you live in Northern Ontario. Northern Ontario residents can now use studded tires from Sept. 1 to May 31. Previously, studded tires were only allowed from Oct. 1 to April 30.
You  can now put on studded tires earlier and keep them on longer, if you live in Northern Ontario.
 
Northern Ontario residents can now use studded tires from Sept. 1 to May 31.
 
Previously, studded tires were only allowed from Oct. 1 to April 30.
 
The change is based on advice and recommendations from the OPP, according to a news release from the Ontario government.
 
Studded tires can be used on vehicles that have an ownership address in Northern Ontario, which 
includes the districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, 
Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Temiskaming.
 
They can also be used on out-of-province vehicles travelling in Ontario for less than a month.
 
Studded tires were originally banned in Ontario in 1972 after a technical review established that the studs caused extensive damage to roads.
 
Several other North-American jurisdictions also banned them at that time.

However in 2005, Ontario introduced studded tires legislation and synchronized the period (October 1 to April 30) with Quebec and Manitoba where studded tires were permitted. MTO also prescribed the use of Scandinavian standard lightweight studs, which are lighter than those used in tires that were banned in the 1970s, resulting in approximately 75% less damage to the pavement.
 
The legislation limited the use of studded tires on vehicles over 3 ½ tonnes to municipal emergency and winter maintenance vehicles.

Residents of Southern Ontario are not permitted to use studded tires because most roads are well-maintained with fewer extreme hills and turns. Also, the traffic volumes are higher and many pavements are made with local limestone that is softer than the Canadian Shield rock in the north. 
 
“Ontario’s roads are among the safest in North America. We are always looking for ways to make 
them safer. Winter weather conditions in northern Ontario can make driving particularly challenging 
and dangerous. Allowing the use of studded tires for a longer period of time will help keep drivers 
safe on those highways,” said Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation.
 
QUICK FACTS
 Studded tires are proven to be more effective than other tires on wet, icy road conditions.
 
 Only lightweight, Scandinavian studs can be used in northern Ontario.
 
 Check road closure information before you leave by calling 511, visiting Ontario.ca/511 or follow
@MTORoadClosures on Twitter.