Studded tires must be off the road in northern Ontario May 31

Clearing the way for better studded tires New and improved studded tires approved to enter the Ontario market. Eric Taschner reports.

Police in northern Ontario are reminding drivers to remove their studded winter tires by May 31 or face a fine.

Vehicles registered in northern Ontario are allowed to have studded tires between Sept. 1 and May 31.

"Drivers who continue to use studded tires after May 31 can face a fine of $85. Commercial motor vehicle(s) face a fine of $200," North Bay police said in a news release Monday.

"According (to) Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation, studded tires are less effective on bare pavement than all-season tires."

Using studded tires on bare pavement not only creates significant noise and can damage asphalt, but it also wears out the tire tread more quickly.