The Mayor of Mount Pearl is looking for a review on the use of studded tires on the province’s roadways.

Dave Aker raised the matter at the recent MNL conference, which wrapped up over the weekend in St. John’s.

Aker says city staff have noticed the impact of studded tire use. He says staff have collected samples of grit that gathers in the ruts of the roads—made up of asphalt and the aggregate that makes up the roadways.

Speaking on VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly, Aker says his city has spent $1-million repairing ruts. However, he says the call for a review is not just based on financial considerations.

He says once the ruts develop, they fill up with water and snow causing further safety issues.

Aker says when they examined the ruts, it looks like a “cutting action” is taking place, and that the road is literally being “eaten away.”

He’s not looking for a ban, but a review—suggesting that the province consider the Ontario model, whereby studded tires are allowed in northern areas, but not in more southern regions.

He says low temperatures experienced in Labrador, for instance, may require the use of studded tires.