http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhZCyQ3emQg
Look at the Acura MDX struggling up the hill at 1:08 probably nearly bald all season tires clearly see all four wheels spinning in futile, the SUV careening onto the sidewalk at 2:00 to avoid the MDX (going way too fast), the SUV struggling up the hill at 4:18, AWD, ABS, ESC, TC means nothing. Get proper winter tires or stay home.
Also some people with winter tires can very well be at fault for accidents if they drive stupid. Drive on winter tires and drive smart. You still have only 25% of the traction you would on dry pavement.
You must have good eyes - I personally could not read the writing on those tires. As others have said, once we have winter tires mandated in the winter, let's also have summer tires mandated for summer and rain tires mandated for rainy days. Then we can have fall and spring tires, so everyone can be as safe as absolutely possible. When possible, personal body armour should also be worn, in case anything should happen to us in the big, scary world.
Instead of pulling data from snow tire companies (hey guess what, they recommend them!!!) I found that there is actually a "Rubber association of Canada" and quoted this from their piece on winter and all-season tires...
"In the beginning there were summer tires and snow tires. Then several decades ago, the all-season tire was introduced into the marketplace which provided motorists with better winter driving performance than a summer tire and the opportunity to avoid the cost and inconvenience of the bi-annual winter tire changeover. Some Canadian motorists still choose all-season tires because those tires meet their personal needs based on driving habits, where they live and their comfort level with winter driving. For those wanting the very best, safest winter driving experience, the tire industry recommends winter tires. Tire technology advances in tread compound and tread design have improved driving performance across the entire spectrum of tires, but none more pronounced than with winter tires."
So yes, if you want the VERY BEST, go ahead and buy snows. Mandatory? No thanks, go vote for the communist party and let me do what I want with the money I earn.
http://www.rubberassociation.ca/Welcome/Welcome.htmlhttp://www.betiresmart.ca/buying/winterlist.html