Is the chain law in effect in Colorado today?

That’s right, it’s chain season on Interstate 70 again. Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 1, all recreational and commercial vehicles must carry chains or alternate traction devices when traveling between Morrison and Dotsero in Colorado’s high country until May 31, 2022.

Do I need chains on I-70 in Colorado?

Colorado’s chain law went into effect on Sept 1. It requires commercial trucks to carry chains between now and May 31, 2022, when traveling the Interstate 70 mountain corridor between Morrison and Dotsero.

What is the new chain law in Colorado?

The Passenger Vehicle Chain Law imposes the most restrictive requirements during inclement weather. All passenger vehicles must have chains or alternate traction devices (ATDs) on two or more drive tires. This applies to every two/four/all-wheel drive passenger vehicle in the affected area.

Do you need chains for I-70?

And for truckers passing along Interstate 70, a major trucking route, drivers must meet additional requirements to be compliant. From Sept. 1 through May 31, commercial vehicles must carry chains between mile marker 133 (Dotsero) on I-70, and mile marker 259 (Morrison) to be compliant, regardless of conditions.

How fast can you drive with chains?

30 mph
Tire chains are only intended to withstand a certain amount of punishment. Drivers should never exceed speeds of 30 mph when chained. Going any faster could cause chains to break while in motion. This could be dangerous for drivers and vehicles alike.

Do you need chains to drive to Breckenridge?

Winter Driving and Road Conditions: We also strongly recommend an AWD or 4WD vehicle for your travel. This is often even a requirement for reaching many Breckenridge rental locations. Snow tires are recommended, and during certain conditions, tire-chains are required by law.

Do AWD vehicles need chains in Colorado?

CDOT can implement the Passenger Vehicle Traction and Chain Laws on any state highway. During a Traction Law, all motorists are required to have EITHER: 4WD or AWD vehicle and 3/16” tread depth.

How fast can you drive with snow chains?

20 to 30 mph
Generally, 20 to 30 mph is the recommended speed limit for driving with snow chains. This helps prevent chains from breaking and from potentially damaging your vehicle. Do not drive on dry roads with chains as it can significantly wear down both the chains and your tire tread.

Where are chains required?

Where are chains required? Chains are most often required in the higher mountain passes of northern California, such as Interstate 5 north of Redding, Interstate 80 over Donner Pass between Sacramento and Reno, Nevada, and US Highway 50 over Echo summit between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento.

Are chains required?

There are Three Levels of Chain Requirements in California: Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires.

Can you drive on normal roads with snow chains?

Right Conditions Tire chains for cars should only be used if there is a layer of snow or ice on the road. Using chains on bare pavement can cause substantial damage to both your tires and the road itself. If you turn onto a road that’s clearly been plowed and salted, pull over and remove the chains.

Is Colorado traction law in effect?

Colorado’s Traction Law is now in effect! Each year from September 1 to May 31, the traction law is active at ALL TIME (sun or snow). To be in accordance, all drivers on I-70 must comply with one of the three following: 1: AWD/4WD vehicle AND required minimum tread depth of 3/16″

What roads in Colorado require chains?

Colorado’s chain law applies to all state, federal and Interstate highways and was initially enacted in 1996. It includes two levels for commercial vehicles. Chain Law Level 1 requires all single drive axle combinations commercial vehicles* to chain up.

Are snow socks legal in Colorado?

Approved for Colorado. CDOT has approved the AutoSock as the only named alternative traction device to chains that is accepted within the state for both commercial and passenger vehicles. For more information, check out their site: Passenger or Truck .

How many chains do you need for AWD?

Tire chains should be installed on the drive wheels of the vehicle following the chain manufacturer’s instructions, To retain as much of the normal handling characteristics of 4WD/AWD vehicles as possible, tire chains should be installed on all four tires, requiring the purchase of two pairs of tire chains.

Do snow socks work as well as chains?

Most snow socks recommend you drive between 20 and 30mph. One of the biggest negatives of snow socks is their effectiveness on ice. Snow socks will only improve traction slightly on ice, much less so than snow chains. Against snow chains, snow socks generally provide less grip on snow and ice.

How do you know when chains are required?

Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle.

When does CDOT implement traction laws and chain laws?

When weather conditions warrant, CDOT implements Passenger Vehicle Traction and Chain Laws. Motorists will be alerted to an active Traction Law or Chain Law by highway signage, COtrip.org and traffic/roadway condition alerts. For more information, download the Traction Law Fact Sheet. Sign up for alerts via text or email.

When do you have to put on chains on the highway?

You must stop and put on chains when highway signs indicate chains are required. You can be cited by the California Highway Patrol and fined if you don’t. You will usually have about a mile between “Chains Required” signs and the checkpoint to install your chains.

Do heavy trucks have to have chains on Interstate 80?

Whenever chain controls are posted over Donner Pass on Interstate 80, heavy trucks are usually required to have link-type chain on at least the main drive axle. Must chains be carried in exempted vehicles?

Are Chains Required on all vehicles with traction devices?

Requirement 2 (R2): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels. NOTE: (Four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas.) Requirement 3 (R3): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.