Sask. watching Manitoba's winter tire loan program
Officials in Saskatchewan say they will be watching a program in Manitoba that encourages the purchase of winter tires, but there are no plans to copy the move here.
Motorists in Manitoba can participate in a low-interest loan program to help them buy winter tires.
SGI, Saskatchewan's provincial Crown corporation that oversees vehicle licensing and insurance, says it has no plans to implement a similar scheme.
In Manitoba drivers can get loans for up to 48 months in length at the prime rate plus two per cent for up to $2,000 per vehicle for the purchase of winter tires.
A spokeswoman for SGI, Kelley Brinkworth, told CBC News Tuesday that good tires are only one part of the equation for safe winter driving.
"Sometimes with winter tires, I think it can give people a false sense of security [of] 'OK I can be driving faster now that
I got these special tires,'" Brinkworth said. "But really the most important thing is just to reduce your speed."
Still Brinkworth said SGI will be watching Manitoba's program.
"Maybe if there is a reduction in claims coming out of Manitoba," Brinkworth said. "We are very interested to learn what kind of results they see from their program."
