Quebec's winter tire law starts Monday

MONTREAL, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Drivers in Quebec beginning Monday must have winter tires on their cars or face fines of up to $300, officials said.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Saturday that motorists who drive without all-season radials won't be cut any slack.

"There will be no warnings," provincial police spokeswoman Joyce Kemp said. "We've been talking about this for a while, so everybody knows that the law is going into effect Monday, so everyone should be equipped."

The new law created a demand for winter tires that many retailers could not meet.

"It was an unprecedented year," said Jay Zinniger, owner of Talon Tires in Montreal. "We began selling winter tires in August."

Quebec's winter tire law makes all-season radials mandatory from Dec. 15 to March 15 every year.