Some Saskatoon drivers holding off on switching to summer tires

The recent snowfall has drivers in Saskatoon second-guessing when they should take off their winter tires.

An April snowfall that started on Tuesday evening has many left roads in Saskatoon an icy and snowy mess.

Rod Janzen, manager of OK Tire in Saskatoon, said the recent snow has affected his scheduling, as people move back their tire appointments.

“(We’ve had) a couple cancellations already,” said Janzen. “We were booked, but we will see what happens throughout the day.”

With certain vehicles, Janzen said it’s just not a good idea to have summer tires on them when the roads are slippery and covered with snow.

“They’re either parked today or they haven’t got their tires switched,” said Janzen.

If someone does decide to cancel, Janzen said it’s not a problem but it could be a little while before the next open appointment. The three OK Tire stores in Saskatoon are booking anywhere between two weeks and a month in advance, Janzen noted.

“We say ‘OK, we’ll try and book you in,’ but it usually ends up being a couple more weeks,” Janzen explained.

If drivers do hold off on making the switch, Janzen said they don’t need to worry about potentially damaging their winter tires.

“In -6 (C weather), you want them,” said Janzen. “Even in the fall when it goes to +7, it’s already time to start putting on the winters, so at this weather (it’s) not a problem at all.”

Keeping those winter tires on for a while longer might be a good idea, because according to police, road conditions are dicey all over Saskatchewan.

Just before 2:30 p.m., Saskatoon police said there was a crash on Highway 16 near the overpass at Boychuk Drive.

Traffic was restricted eastbound on Highway 16 approaching the overpass and drivers were advised to find an alternate route.

Between midnight on Wednesday and 8 a.m. on Thursday, Mounties in Saskatchewan received 68 reports of crashes and eight reports of what the RCMP called “weather-related traffic hazards.”

While conditions are poor in many areas, the Mounties pointed to Highway 11 near Saskatoon as a particularly problematic route.

“High winds are creating poor visibility and drifting on Highway #11 and other roads around Saskatoon,” the RCMP said in a statement.

The Mounties asked drivers to check road conditions before heading out, and consider postponing travel if it’s not required.

A number of safety precautions were also advised, including avoiding using cruise control on snow-covered or icy roads and stocking vehicles with emergency supplies like warm clothes, food, water, matches, a shovel and booster cables.

“If you become stranded on the highway, do not leave your vehicle!” the RCMP noted.

“Turn on your vehicle periodically to warm up, but try to conserve fuel. Make sure your tailpipe remains clear of ice and snow, or carbon monoxide could potentially seep into your vehicle.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker