The insurance companies lobbied the Gov't to band studs and chains.
It was costing a fortune.And of coarse they agreed because of the damage
to the asphalt.
The problem with studs are pot holes.When the tire flex's it like to throw studs.
The studs would chew out the pot hole worse,
And ,of course you can't get away from the billions of pot holes there are by the end
of the season from the plows ripping off the frost heaves.
If you don't run your A\S in salt and sand season you will get 120k Kms or more out of them.
Tire science today is a art form.If you believe there is no difference. I say LOL.
Guy's that rally race in the snow use A\S.
Know a few people the run rain tire all year around. Most of the time your driving in slush,
In the city.