As the first snowfall has begun to hit western Washington, drivers who're heading to the mountain passes are failing to chain up when required. This has been resulting in more frequent spinouts and even road closures, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
The problem is already re-emerging as the first snows begin to fall around western Washington and several ski resorts are now open for business. Cross-state commercial traffic is also a contributing factor to the rising number of violations, a WSP spokesperson said.
“It's frightening to be behind somebody who is out of control,” said John Holmes, who just drove across Snoqualmie Pass. “People are thinking it's still November and it's not winter yet but obviously being up there at the pass today it's winter."
WSDOT and WSP are trying to get the word out early that chain requirements will be strictly enforced, because they are encountering too many drivers who are either ill prepared or blatantly choose to ignore the regulations.
Spinouts have already been an issue in late November which contributed to an overnight shutdown of I-90.
“They're risking their life ultimately," said Scott Wynegar, who used to live in Ellensburg and has traveled the pass for much of his life. "They're risking everybody else's life that's around them.”
Not following restrictions can also hinder snow plows and keep WSDOT from being able to plow when needed to maintain access for other drivers.
Winston Navarro is a commercial trucker and said he follows the rules but the chains he carries on his rig weigh 50 pounds each and are time-consuming to install.
“You have to put four on the drives, one each outside, and a couple on the trailer for drag,” Navarro explained. “So it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to put it all on."
This season, troopers will proactively check on truckers who pull over along the road to sleep to see that they are carrying chains and spares, as required.
The result of not obeying a tire chain sign is $500. Additionally, 4-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles do not need chains installed during "chains required" notices.
However, these drivers must still carry chains in their vehicles in case conditions worsen and WSDOT changes the requirements to “chains required on all vehicles,” the final step before ordering a road closure.