THUNDER BAY, Ont. — A Private Member’s bill that calls on insurance companies to slash premiums or offer rebates to car drivers who use winter tires is being supported by the Ontario Trucking Association.

"The OTA applauds this initiative because it will help keep Ontario’s highways and roads free from preventable accidents this winter helping our drivers to make their scheduled arrival times," said OTA President David Bradley.

The motion, which was introduced by Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro and recently passed first reading at Queen’s Park, is also backed by the Ontario Safety League, the Ontario Hospital Association, and CAA.

Mauro said that winter tires are cost prohibitive for many drivers and lower insurance rates would help offset the costs and encourage more Ontario drivers to install them – especially in northern Ontario.

All-season tires are known to lose their elasticity in -10 degrees, while winter tires can improve handling and braking by 25 percent.

Only about 29 percent of Ontario drivers reportedly use winter tires., compared to the national average of 42 percent.