2008 Woodie Awards
Time to test your tires for snow season
Monica Calderon, Staff writer
Issue date: 11/25/08
Last Updated: 12/8/08
With the first snow fresh on the ground from Thanksgiving Day, it's time for Washington residents to start thinking about snow tires again. Many people hope to cruise through the icy months ahead on sets of "all-season" tires.
But a recent CBC article suggests some wintertime accidents occur because drivers have inappropriate tires. CBC suggests that these "all-season" tires give a false sense of security to people who could benefit from more careful winter preparation.
The fact is that winter tires are diverse in kind as well as quality. Tiresavings.com offers tire searches by the year and make of your vehicle, as well as through your favorite brand. Les Schwab's Web site offers snow and traction tires as well as different kinds of tire chains to prevent accidents and maximize grip on slippery roads.
Washington's Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reminds drivers that a four-wheel drive or generic kinds of tires are not well equipped to provide traction during the winter months. The DOT's Web site publishes several hints for safe and accident-free driving during winter months.
Plan to use extra time to cross any mountain passes during the winter months, WSDOT suggests. In addition to common sense, the law has a hand in Washington State's effort to keep people safe. Mountain pass traction and chain requirements are available on signs along the highway, as well as on highway advisory radio. When WSDOT radio program advisories call for chains, drivers who fail to respond appropriately face a $500 fine.
Washington law requires appropriate chain tires between Nov. 1 and April 1 for certain kinds of vehicles. These vehicles include commercial vehicles and vehicle combinations weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Failing to meet this requirement will result in a $155 fee.
Studded tires are also legal only between Nov. 1 and April 1.
The Washington State Department of Transportation can be contacted at www.wsdot.wa.gov.
Contact Monica Calderon at monica.calderon@whitworthian.com.
Related article: "A happy holiday season starts with safe driving"
But a recent CBC article suggests some wintertime accidents occur because drivers have inappropriate tires. CBC suggests that these "all-season" tires give a false sense of security to people who could benefit from more careful winter preparation.
The fact is that winter tires are diverse in kind as well as quality. Tiresavings.com offers tire searches by the year and make of your vehicle, as well as through your favorite brand. Les Schwab's Web site offers snow and traction tires as well as different kinds of tire chains to prevent accidents and maximize grip on slippery roads.
Washington's Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reminds drivers that a four-wheel drive or generic kinds of tires are not well equipped to provide traction during the winter months. The DOT's Web site publishes several hints for safe and accident-free driving during winter months.
Plan to use extra time to cross any mountain passes during the winter months, WSDOT suggests. In addition to common sense, the law has a hand in Washington State's effort to keep people safe. Mountain pass traction and chain requirements are available on signs along the highway, as well as on highway advisory radio. When WSDOT radio program advisories call for chains, drivers who fail to respond appropriately face a $500 fine.
Washington law requires appropriate chain tires between Nov. 1 and April 1 for certain kinds of vehicles. These vehicles include commercial vehicles and vehicle combinations weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Failing to meet this requirement will result in a $155 fee.
Studded tires are also legal only between Nov. 1 and April 1.
The Washington State Department of Transportation can be contacted at www.wsdot.wa.gov.
Contact Monica Calderon at monica.calderon@whitworthian.com.
Related article: "A happy holiday season starts with safe driving"
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kay
posted 12/03/08 @ 5:51 PM PST
I'm from Spokane and know Spokane winters well...I will only use all season tires because they work so well for me...I think that false comfort people get is bad driver! I guess having an all wheel drive car helps some too! :-)
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