Drivers in the northern Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido are switching to winter tires ahead of the snow season.
At a tire shop in the city of Asahikawa, tire-replacement jobs began to pick up after the start of October. Workers are busy replacing summer tires with winter ones, using special tools to tighten the nuts.
Staff said they expect to handle around 40 vehicles on peak days and said that will likely come this week or next week.
One customer said he came to the shop after hearing forecasts that the area would get snow. He says he wants to drive safely on winter roads.
Occasionally, drivers report that their winter tires fell off within a month of the switch from summer tires. The shop calls on customers to regularly check if tires are secure.
A manager at the shop says drivers should switch to snow tires ahead of the winter season, when roads will frequently be icy and slick at night and in the morning.
AloJapan.com