Snow tires unsafe for Jamaican roads, officials warn
The ministry is urging dealers to ensure they aren't selling vehicles with snow tires to unsuspecting customers.
Jamaica's Ministry of Transportation is urging motorists to check their vehicles to make sure they aren't fitted with winter tires.
According to the ministry, several customers have purchased used cars that have winter tires and may not be aware of how dangerous they can be in a Caribbean climate.
Officials say the tires are meant for cold climates and are not safe to use on Jamaican roads.
“Once the temperature rises, these tires loose its integrity and make it difficult for drivers to maintain control over their vehicles on hot asphalt and when it rains. These tires are less effective at dissipating heat, therefore the risks of overinflating and blowouts are much higher,” the ministry said in a statement.
Spring is here! Check theweathernetwork.com to see what the season has ahead, plus get an EXCLUSIVE sneak peek at Summer 2019!
“Driving on snow tires in Jamaica increases the braking distance by at least 10 percent on dry pavement and 26 percent on wet pavement. They wear out much faster than their expected tread life when they are ran on hot pavement," officials add.
Snow tires also tend to wear unevenly when continually used in the wrong weather conditions. This decreases fuel efficiency and can impact the driver's ability to control the car.
Officials are asking residents to check their the tires of any recently-purchased vehicles. They're also calling on car dealers to ensure they aren't selling vehicles with snow tires to unsuspecting customers.
