CHAINING...are you ready?

But I choose not to do so. Usually...

 

yesterday afternoon... clear

 

I've seen a few of the LTL's in my area chaining up drives, one tire on the con gear and one tire on the rear trailer

 

Colorado now has a very nice new tool to keep traffic moving, it's called a "Traction Law". Anytime the chain law is up for CMV's, they may also (and have every time), implemented what's called a traction law, that applies to ALL OTHER VEHICLES. When the traction law is in place, it means chain, adequate snow tires, 4wd or other traction aiding devices must be on passenger vehicles, no exceptions, the fines are decent too. It's my understanding they have written quite a few tickets for it so far this year.


https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/TractionLaw

 

It took long enough.

 

Actually, the law has been on the books for close to 30 yrs, they've just stopped enforcing it until recently. I remember years ago, anytime the chain law went up, you would hear them on the radio telling people that it was chains or adequate snow tires for everyone else. Then for some reason (my suspicion is the coddling of the ski industry), they stopped enforcing it or even mentioning it. The Gov. does a monthly radio show on JOA in Denver, a year ago, I called in and brought this to his attention, as to whether or not I'm the impetus for it, I don't know. The legislature tried to pass a specific law about it this year and it was narrowly defeated (ski industry?), but now suddenly they have been doing the "Traction Law" thing, so maybe they figured out the old stuff and a way to do it properly.

 

so your saying you have the governors ear?

 

California has had the same law for awhile

 

Speaking of 4-wheeler's in the snow, true story.

About 10 years ago, we were running from the SFO airport over Donner in our pickup (a 2006 Dodge diesel 4x4). Carried 4 chains, no problem, right?

So we're coming back from the airport, and a few miles north of Auburn, it starts snowing a little. Mind you, we're out of Eastern Idaho, we see a little snow occasionally. There's an inch or two on the road, but not REAL snow. Not coming down that hard, either.

So, traffic gets stopped, and i figure -- uh-oh, big wreck. Nope. About 45 minutes later, there's a CALDOT guy walking down the freeway between the line of cars telling people chain law is up. 4 wd or chains. I roll down the window, and, I kid you not, the guy next to me rolls down the window in his Nissan Xterra-like suv and asks the guy: "can you please tell me how to turn on the 4 wheel drive"?

Dropped it in 4 high, after being told 4wd's didn't need chains, and we ran up and over the mountain. Never saw another car after the first 15 miles or so.

Those 4-wheelers, especially the California ones, have more than their fair share of snow-idiots.....