Can't believe there's a debate on whether or not Winter tires are necessary, even in Vancouver.
This city shuts down in about 3 seconds when the first snow flake hits the floor, with majority of the problem stemming from absolute ignorance and attitude (I drive really well, because my 4x4 grips like a mofo!). Drivers here believe it's not necessary to have winter tires during you know, winter.
Here's two major factors in why the Lower Mainland is the laughing stock of Canada when it comes to Winter.
1) AWD/4x4 does NOT increase your traction OR decrease braking distance, too often do I see lifted 4x4 trucks barreling down at 80km/hr, on streets that have fresh sleet, ice or a combination of everything terrible, then see them bashed up against the curb or in the ditch. This attitude also applies to the vast amounts of Land Rover's, BMW/Mercedes SUV running summer tires in absolute garbage conditions, simply because they believe the marketed "smart" AWD will save their asses when they're driving with the same mindset as if its 25c out with the sun shining.
2) Summer/All Seasons lose most if not, all compound integrity in 3c and under. The cheapest Ling Long winter tires will be better than your favourite Pirelli all seasons in icy mornings, or light snowfall. Winter tires are superior to all seasons, because they are designed to not be hard as rock at -5c, the tread patterns are designed to shovel snow, as opposed to pushing and compacting them. Stopping distance and traction are improved multiple folds with winter tires in winter conditions.
The typical attitude is blaming the city for not prepping the roads for winter, yet the resident themselves will run almost balding tires on front heavy vehicles and complain to the city why their drive way was not cleared in 30 seconds after snow fall.
Look at the Port Mann Bridge, 20 car pile up a week ago due to icy conditions, yet the city is being blamed for poor planning when they applied Salt brine the night before. I can guarantee you the cause of it all is drivers running balding all seasons believing no snow = clear conditions.
It's not just about accidents, it's also for those who do not properly prep their cars for winter, you are the reason why commutes on HWY 1 that should take 30 minutes, ends up at 4 hours because you're driving at 20km/hr on the passing lane thinking its OK. I commute from Richmond, and that one day of snowfall, I ended up being being stupid late for work because of intersections having left turners stuck, cars stuck on the side of the road, emergency workers trying to get that BMW 7 series out of the gentlemen's front yard, and a complete gong show happening on the high way.
I am a firm believer in winter tires, they make a night and day difference, and instill a whole lot more confidence driving in this city. If NCIX ever sold winter tires, I'd bundle them up with hard drives, and 3570k's.
/personal opinion & rant.
