Date:
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Contact:
Chris Christopher, WSDOT Co-Director, Maintenance and Operations, (360) 705-7850 (Olympia) Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080 (Olympia) Sgt. Kristene O’Shannon, WSP Government and Media Relations (360) 570-3108 (Olympia)
OLYMPIA – If the early dusting of mountain snow doesn’t serve as an important reminder to drivers of passenger cars and heavy trucks to carry chains, a $500 ticket may do the trick.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) reminds motorists Washington law requires commercial vehicles and combinations of vehicles more than 10,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to carry sufficient tire chains between Nov. 1 and April 1. This includes some larger passenger trucks, SUVs, recreational vehicles and trucks hauling trailers.
This time of year also marks WSDOT’s seasonal mountain pass reports on the 5-1-1 traveler information hotline and Web site www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/.
The WSP Commercial Vehicle Division (CVD) has begun educating commercial vehicle drivers on the ‘chains onboard’ requirement at weigh stations and during traffic stops. WSP troopers will strictly enforce the Nov. 1 deadline. Failing to carry chains will cost heavy-truck drivers $155.
WSDOT and the WSP are out clearing roads and helping drivers, but it’s important to help yourself by carrying tire chains. Mountain pass traction tire and chain requirements are stated on highway advisory signs and highway advisory radio. WSDOT advises drivers to program 530AM and 1610AM on your radio. All drivers who don’t chain up when required will face a $500 penalty.
Chris Christopher, WSDOT Co-Director, Maintenance and Operations, said WSDOT works to keep mountain pass highways open for travelers and freight.
“We want you and your family to be safe to enjoy winter activities and we want to keep our state’s economy moving,” he said. “If you see ice or snow, take it slow.”
The WSP will have a special chain emphasis patrol in early November, to ensure commercial drivers have the proper number of chains required. Drivers not carrying the proper number of chains, to include the spares, will be cited, turned around and not allowed to proceed over the mountain pass until they are in compliance.
“With the increased amount of cross-state commercial vehicle traffic, it is imperative that the WSP strictly enforce the chain law requirements to reduce the economic losses of trucks blocking the road,” stated WSP Sgt. Kevin Overbay. “More importantly, most commercial vehicle-related incidents are caused by drivers who are either ill prepared or blatantly choose to ignore the chain law,” he added.
In addition to the chain emphasis, CVD enforcement officers will be proactively enforcing chain law requirements during mountain pass traction advisories. Plus, CVD troopers will be looking for “sleepers,” those heavy-truck drivers who decide to wait out storms by sleeping in the chain-up areas.
“The chain-up areas are safe places for all drivers to chain up,” Overbay said. “They are not rest areas. If the drivers want to sleep, they need to find a safe place off the highway.”
WSDOT also reminds drivers studded tires are only legal for use between Nov. 1 and April 1. Motorists are encouraged to visit their tire dealers for chains and find out about tires that provide traction and are legal for use year-round.
For more information on WSP chain requirements, WSDOT’s winter programs, car emergency kits and ways to prepare your vehicle for winter, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter. At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather, drivers can look at weather forecasts and road temperatures throughout the state.
WSDOT is also offering traffic and travel information on your cell phone or PDA. Drivers can access Seattle area traffic flow map, ferry schedules, mountain pass reports, and current travel times from their PDAs or cell phones by logging on to www.wsdot.wa.gov/small/.
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