Winter tires? 4 out of 5 Atlantic Canadians say yes

People in Atlantic Canada lead the country in winter tire usage in regions where their use is voluntary.

• Why winter tires keep drivers safer

A survey by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada says 81 percent of drivers in Atlantic Canada use winter tires. That's up eight percentage points from a similar survey in 2014.

It's second highest rate in the country.

Cost a barrier for some

Only Quebec has a higher rate. Winter tires are mandatory in that province, and the survey found 100 per cent compliance.

The survey found the cost of winter tires, along with the belief that all-season tires are good enough, are the main reasons for drivers not investing in winter tires.

The online survey polled 1,518 Canadians between Oct. 17 and 20.

The findings are considered accurate with 2.5 percentage points 19 times out of 20.

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