Studded tires legal until March 31st

Winter is a beautiful time of the year, especially when a fresh layer of new snow covers everything. Winter can also be a very dangerous time of the year. If you plan on traveling during the winter, it pays to be prepared for the unexpected. Getting stranded during a winter storm can be a matter of life and death.

The Washington State Department of Transportation wants you to enjoy winter. With that in mind, the department has developed this information to keep you informed and provide safety tips when traveling on roads and highways this season. Following a few simple driving habits like planning ahead, driving at a safe and legal speed, driving alert and sober and buckling up could ensure that you safely make it to your destination.

Safe winter driving tips

• Slow Down! Drive according to road and weather conditions. Remember, the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.
  
• Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights - even the hood and roof - before driving.
  
• Leave plenty of room for stopping and brake early. It takes more time to stop when roads are wet or icy.
  
• Know current road conditions:
  • call 511 - for traveler information
  • view weather and traffic - information at www.wsdot.wa.gov
  • check local news for weather and traffic reports
  • watch electronic highway signs for information
    
• Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows - stay at least 15 car lengths (200 feet) back and don't pass on the right.
  
• Watch for icy surfaces on bridges, even when the rest of the road seems to be in good condition. Bridge decks will ice up first.
  
• Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra seconds to react.
  
• Trucks take longer to stop, so don't cut in front of them.
  
• Don't use your cruise control or overdrive when it's freezing (or colder). Even roads that appear clear can have isolated slippery spots and the short touch of your brakes to deactivate cruise control can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. With overdrive, as you encounter a hill your vehicle automatically accelerates or downshifts, which can cause loss of traction.
  
• Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive helps you get going quicker but it won't help you stop any faster.
  
• Don't pump anti-lock brakes. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump your brakes. The right way is to "stomp and steer."
  
• Know your vehicle. Read your Owners Manual.
  
• Adjust to Road Conditions. The faster your vehicle is going, the more distance it will take to turn, slow, or stop.
  
• Slow down at the first sign of rain, snow, or sleet. When the road is slippery, the vehicle's tires do not grip as well as they do on a dry road.
  
• Allow extra time. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination when roads may be slick. Consider delaying your trip.
  
• Drive with your headlights on.
  
• If at all possible, do not drive when the roads are icy.

Prepare your vehicle

While you should keep your vehicle in top operating condition all year round - for safety and fuel economy - it is especially important to get it winterized to avoid dangerous situations while traveling in fridge weather.

Read your Owner's Manual and check the following:

Know your tire and chain options

Fit your chains before you need them.

Road and weather conditions vary significantly throughout our state. Choose the best winter tire for the conditions you will drive in. Since different types of winter tires perform best under different road conditions, your local tire dealer can help you select the best option.

Approved traction tires have at least an eighth of an inch of tread and are labeled "Mud and Snow," "M+S," "MS," "All Season," or have a "Mountain/Snowflake," symbol. These tires can be used year round. Studded tires are approved traction tires but are only legal between November 1st and March 31st.

Tire chains come in many varieties such as cross link, cable chains, and plastic or nylon chains. All are permissible for passenger vehicles when CHAINS REQUIRED signs are posted. Minimum chain requirements for commercial vehicles can be found at Washington State Patrol's Commercial Vehicle Division website: www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/cvd.htm

Traction advisories and what they mean

	Road signs let drivers know the legal requirements on roadways. To keep Drivers and roadways safe, we sometimes restrict oversize vehicles from roadways during severe weather conditions. Check the latest road restrictions at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/commercialvehicle/
	Chains required on vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). If your vehicle exceeds that gross weight, chains are required. If you fail to install chains you may get ticketed and fined. Trucks must carry chains Nov. 1 through Mar. 31 on certain state roads.
	Chains required on all vehicles - Except all-wheel drive In extreme weather conditions, the Washington State Patrol will require all vehicles (except all-wheel drive) to install tire chains. However, the Washington State Patrol can require chains on all-wheel drive vehicles too. Check out: www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/cvd.htm

Avalanche Hazards

Heavy snowfall in the mountains followed by rain or warm weather increases avalanche hazards.

WSDOT avalanche control technicians use explosives to set off controlled avalanches to help keep drivers safe. Controlled avalanches direct when and where the snow comes down the mountain. When possible, avalanche control is done when traffic is light and traffic is stopped for safety. Snoqualmie (I-90) and Stevens (US 2) passes are two areas that require avalanche control work.

Snow and Ice Removal

Our maintenance crews are ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week to prevent or remove snow and ice from highways. This task takes precedence over all other non-emergency work.

We take a two-step approach to keeping roads safe during winter weather. We prevent ice from forming on highways in the most vulnerable locations by applying anti-icing compounds. If snow or ice appears on highways, we plow and apply sand and deicer. We remove snow from the most heavily traveled interstates and state routes first. After these high priority highways are cleared, we remove snow and ice on other highways. Initial efforts are directed to locations where drivers are most vulnerable: hills, curves, ramps, bridges and interchanges. Although plowing starts soon after the storm begins, it takes time to complete the work, particularly if the storm continues to produce snow and ice.

Some mountain passes; including the North Cascades, Chinook and Cayuse passes; are closed each winter. These road closures occur where deep snow and avalanches make it unsafe for motorists and maintenance crews. Our snow removal operations provide motorists with a reasonably safe traveling surface. Despite these efforts, we cannot guarantee ice-free roadways. Motorists must always exercise caution when driving in cold and wet weather. For additional information about WSDOT’s snow and ice removal program, go to: www.wsdot.wa.gov/maintenance/anti-ice.htm

Wash your car

Keeping your vehicle clean during the winter keeps snow and road grime from caking on your head and taillights, which makes it easier for you to see and be seen. Anti-icing chemicals can cause corrosion so wash your vehicle as necessary. All the chemicals are water-soluble, so rinse your vehicle thoroughly before applying soap. If towing aluminum boats or trailers, be sure to wash them, too.

If you have questions, please contact regarding WSDOT Winter Driving Tom Root (360) 705-7857.

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