Date:
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Contact:
Chris Christopher, Co-Director Maintenance and Operations, (360) 705-7850
Tom Baker, State Materials Engineer, (360) 709-5401
Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080
OLYMPIA – Long-range weather forecasts and coordination with neighboring states do not indicate a need to extend the studded tire deadline, WSDOT said today.
The last day to legally use studded tires this season is Saturday, March 31. Motorists caught by law enforcement using studded tires after the March 31 deadline will receive a $101 ticket.
WSDOT officials do advise drivers to carry tire chains, monitor weather forecasts and the WSDOT website at www.wsdot.wa.gov if driving mountain pass highways, said Chris Christopher, Co-Director, WSDOT Maintenance and Operations.
In Washington, studded tires are legal part of the year, Nov. 1 thru Mar. 31st. WSDOT advises drivers to work with local tire dealers to determine the best type of tire for their anticipated winter driving conditions.
“We really encourage drivers to look at studded tire alternatives,” said Tom Baker, WSDOT State Materials Engineer. “Studded tires have caused more than $18 million damage to concrete pavements and, for most drivers, alternative winter tires provide better traction and do less pavement damage.”
Additionally, research indicates vehicles with studded tires take longer to stop than cars with other tires in most winter driving conditions.
It’s the carbide steel in the studs that grinds away at the pavements surface, requiring WSDOT crews to rehab the pavement to an even surface. WSDOT is also examining the ‘ruts’ or ‘raveling’ studs cause on hot mix asphalt pavements, which adds to damage estimates.
WSDOT wants motorists to be aware that a variety of studded tire alternatives are available and that they can continue to use other approved traction tires. WSDOT lists alternatives to studded tires on its web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/alternatives.htm
To read WSDOT’s March 2006 report on The Study of Pavement and Studded Tire Damage and to learn more information about studded tire use in Washington, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/studtire/
WSDOT offers several ways to get up-to-date traffic and construction information at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave your home or office. Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
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