Winter Tires in North Dakota- Winter Safety Essentials

Winter tires in North Dakota may be laughed at or deemed unnecessary by many natives and non-natives alike, but as far as other drivers are concerned, implementing such equipment on one's vehicle is wise. Some of us have been in serious auto accidents because of our assumptions that our "All-Season" tires could handle snow and ice just fine. For some of us who live in North Dakota and/or other areas of the country, continent, or world, learning the hard way has been the result of such assumptions. People lose their lives every year in North Dakota and beyond because they weren't equipped properly for winter driving.

ND85 during November of 2014, approximately 20 miles south of Watford City

The stories of dangerous winter travels in this area range from survivors of near-misses that could've resulted in vehicle damage and/or personal injury or death, to the stories told by loved ones of people who went uncontrollably sliding into the front of a semi, dying on impact. Generally, those who've more or less cheated death by almost dying in a wreck are the ones who take their tires the most seriously in the wintertime in North Dakota. After all, a truth regarding winter driving is that TIRES have more to do with maintaining control of one's vehicle than whether the vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive/4-wheel drive.

Here is an example of what you might come across in researching winter tires: Tire Rack's Winter Tire Test Results

Any of these tires are going to provide exceptionally better traction on snow and ice than All-Season or summer tires. Engineers and tire companies have poured countless hours into designing winter tires for roads in such areas as North Dakota. Indeed, having to deal with putting winter tires on for winter, then switching tires for the warmer months may sound like a pain, but for those who must leave town at some point during the winter, winter tires are simply insurance that is well worth it. The most convenient way to deal with having to use two sets of tires is by having two sets of tires on two sets of wheels--one set sits in the garage or shed while the other set is on the vehicle. And though this may seem like we have to spend more money on tires since we have to have two sets, it really comes out in the wash because each set lasts twice as long as if we kept the set on year-round.

Winter tires in North Dakota's winters are simply essential for highway driving, even at slow speeds. State authorities are known to do a good job clearing the roads after snow storms, for instance, but a state official driving a snow plow isn't always available right away. Snow and freezing rain can come at any time, whether it be tomorrow or another day right when we're in the middle of a drive to Minot, for instance.