Canadian drivers appear to have a pretty high opinion of their winter driving ability. Yet fewer than half of them use winter tires and of that group, only 50 per cent bother putting them on before the first snowfall. You've got to love a crowd of snowbound optimists.

It is well known that Canadians encounter the occasional bit of slippery driving for a small part of the year.

By simply dealing with that as a part of everyday life, we are better equipped to deal with winter driving than a life-long resident of the Bahamas or Saudi Arabia.

But all you have to do is watch fellow motorists during the first few cold snaps or snowfalls to realize the vast majority of Canadian drivers are nowhere near as aware and capable as they believe.

A random survey conducted among 1,000 motorists by J. D. Power and Associates on behalf of Michelin revealed that 97 per cent of the respondents "feel confident they are good winter drivers," leaving only 3 per cent who question their winter driving ability.

Yet 54 per cent of them said they don't bother with winter tires, feeling they can cope with ice and frozen snow without them.

It's sort of fun to find that 40 per cent of the winter tire crowd wait until after the first snowfall before they put them on. But the vast majority admit to ensuring their windshield washer fluid is prepared for the big freeze.

It is widely known in the tire industry that more than 60 per cent of all winter tires sold in this country are purchased and used in the province of Quebec. Say what you want about the driving style of our neighbours in that province, but consider the fact they are by far the most cost-conscious vehicle buyers in the country.

Compact and sub-compact vehicles are inordinately popular in Quebec. The industry will tell you they are the most price-sensitive buyers in the entire country -- by a significant margin. Yet the same people who buy and drive all these inexpensive vehicles spring for a set of winter tires -- spend extra money to ensure they are equipped for poor conditions.

There's a message there -- those with less disposable income, spend more of it on vehicle safety. You might argue the climate and conditions in Quebec are more severe but are they more severe than Northern Ontario or the prairies?

We're not here to sell winter tires -- all-season tries are more than capable for motorists living in areas where snow removal is quick, efficient and oft-repeated. All-season tires are suitable for those who do not have to drive in poor conditions, who can wait until things get better.

But for anyone who has to get there or is concerned about safety -- there can be no argument the new generation of winter tires -- notice I said winter tires and not snow tires -- is almost mandatory.

Winter tires -- designed to cope with not only slippery surfaces, but colder temperatures -- deliver anywhere from 25 per cent to 50 per cent more grip than all-season tires. Pretty significant when it comes time to stop or make an evasive manoeuvre.

The days of buying two snow tires are history and the need to equip all four wheels with winter tires is certainly a factor that might play into many budgets.

But consider the offsetting savings of how much longer the all-season tires will last. And in addition to the likely savings from fewer visits to the body shop and reduced likelihood of insurance rate hikes to follow, there is also the peace of mind that goes with not worrying as much when the weather is forecast to go downhill or a loved one is driving in poor conditions.

Halifax-based Richard Russell runs a driving school