Trucker given ticket for no snow chains?

Here's a couple of links for Colorado
http://www.tirechain.com/COLORADO-ROAD-CONDITIONS.HTM
http://www.coloradodot.info/business/permits/truckpermits

Basically, you've got to have them with you and use them when required.
Oregon's the same way. Ditto California. When chain control is in effect on I-80 over the Sierras, every truck is stopped by CHP/Caltrans and they ask you if you've got enough chains for your vehicle. If you say yes, they give you a little wallet card and you're allowed to proceed. You then chain up where they tell you to. $$! (I don't know how much) if you lie or try to drive where the chains are required. If they have to call a wrecker to get you out of a ditch and you were supposed to chain up and didn't, you get a spanking.

You put chains on and take them off as needed or you sit and wait. So, example: chains on at Baxter to cross Donner. Off just west of Reno. On in Winnemucca. Off 30 miles east of Winnemucca. On west of Wells, NV. Off 10 miles east of Wells. Really, it depends on the weather. I'd guess it would be the same for Colorado.

People say if you need chains it's too bad to drive. I can't say--I taught myself how to put chains on and chained when I had to. Some drivers make a fuss about it and never learn or never have to. Some get caught in chain-up areas not carrying enough chains or knowing how to chain. Some carriers probably require that drivers know how. Some carriers don't. I don't know what Colorado's fines are for noncompliance.

There's a couple of threads here at TTR about chains and chain-up. You'll see that it's hot topic.

 

Okay, the first cup of coffee kicked in. For Colorado: $100 for not putting chains on. $500 plus a $60 surcharge for not using them when required and you block the highway. Yeah, I should read my own links!

 

From Colorado DOT web site.

Fine Schedule ​

Violation
Fine
Surcharge ​

Not chaining up when chain law is in effect
$500 $157
Not chaining up when chain law is in effect and subsequently blocking the highway
$1000
$313

So it looks like that trucker got a ticket for about $617.00

 

$617. I feel his pain.

 

yea and co requires real chains and not cable chains

 

Well, if the conversation went like this: "Yessir, yessir, yessir," then maybe he wasn't. If it went like, "I don't got to show you no stinkin' chains," then he probably was.

"Stolen." Ha! I think that's what I'd say. Could be he's going to write a check.

 

The laws in states out west about carrying and using chains are very well known. Colorado requires you carry them on I-70 until May 31. If you get busted, too bad.

 

Required on trucks in Washington as well..Nov 1 to April 1 have to be on the rig and have the right amount.