Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) encourages drivers to prepare vehicles for winter driving and check highway and weather conditions.
Be aware that the Traction Law and Passenger Vehicle Chain Law could be implemented if conditions require it. When either law is in effect, highway signage is activated and messages posted on www.cotrip.org/.
Traction Law. Motorists need snow tires, tires with mud/snow (M/S) designation, or a four-wheel drive vehicle, all tires must have a minimum one-eighth inch tread.
Passenger Vehicle Chain Law. Every vehicle on the roadway must have chains or an alternative traction device. Without proper equipment, motorists can be fined $130. If a vehicle blocks the roadway, a motorist could be fined over $650.
Winter Travel Tips:
• Know before you go! Visit CDOT’s traveler information site at www.cotrip.org; sign up for “CDOT Alerts” in your chosen area by going to www.codot.gov and choosing the white envelope at the bottom of the page; log onto CDOT’s Winter Driving web page at: https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving for road conditions winter driving tips and other information; or for I-70 West Mountain Corridor travel, go here: http://goi70.com/.
• Be sure you have good snow tires. How do you know if you need new snow tires? Insert a quarter into the tire tread upside down, with Washington’s head going in first; if the top of George’s head is covered by the tread, your tires are OK – do this at multiple points around each tire. If the top of his head is visible at any point, get new tires.
• Always keep the top half of your gas tank full. It can give you better traction and gives you a margin of error if you get stuck and have to keep the engine running periodically to keep warm. If you are stuck in a serious storm do not leave your car. Run the engine periodically and wait for help.
• Carry blankets, water, a flash-light, a shovel, some nutrition bars or other food for sustenance. Winterize the vehicle’s safety kit, include extra blankets, sand to gain traction if you become stuck, jumper cables, an ice scraper and lock deicer.
• Remember that 4-wheel drive does not mean 4-wheel stop. A 4-wheel drive vehicle will not stop any better in icy conditions, especially if snow tires are inadequate.
• Know the chain laws. Chain restrictions in Colorado are most often put into effect for commercial vehicles (semi-trailer trucks) but can also affect passenger vehicles.
• Drive for the conditions. In poor visibility or even whiteout conditions, don’t drive faster than you can see ahead. High speeds in poor or no visibility can lead to large chain reaction accidents.
• Respect winter weather. Conduct a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle, and leave extra space between your automobile and others on the road (including plow trucks). Of course, always buckle up!