Are Autosocks Legal in Colorado
Click here to see the Traction Act Interactive Tree (PDF) Road Safety on Interstate 70 westbound in the Rocky Mountains – MILEHIGHTRAVELER VIA GETTY IMAGES Alec Stowell is a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He studies journalism and business with a focus on entrepreneurship. He was born in Glenwood Springs and grew up skiing in the Roaring Fork Valley. Being active and exploring nature has always been a top priority for him – everything from skiing to basketball, mountain biking, hiking and more, has been his hobby for as long as he can remember. At the beginning of his training, he discovered a passion for writing and when the opportunity arose to write both skiing and writing, he was delighted. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career where he can combine his passion for writing and nature, while understanding what the future holds. Right now, he`s looking forward to making the most of his ski season with Colorado Ski Country. Another excellent alternative traction device is an automatic sock. However, depending on the snow situation, the automatic sock can be just as effective as chains. If there`s a lot of snow, you might be better off using chains.
An automatic sock can be very effective for traction in many cases, and it is often considered easier to install than chains. They`re also a bit more expensive — with a price tag of around $100 to $160 per sock for a high-quality product. Another important drawback to keep in mind with a car sock is that if they are on your vehicle, your overall speeds will need to be reduced to a maximum of 30 MPH, otherwise you risk damaging the sock and your vehicle. These updates are designed to mitigate delays and collisions along this corridor during the peak winter driving season. Electronic signs inform the public if there are any additional closures or restrictions along I-70 in addition to traction law. If weather conditions so require, the CDOT implements the traction and chain laws for passenger cars. Motorists are informed of an active traction law or a chain law through road signs, COtrip.org and traffic and road condition warnings. For more information, download the traction law fact sheet. In the event of a winter storm or when conditions so require, the CDOT will implement the Passenger Car Traction Act.
CDOT can implement auto-traction and chain laws on any state highway. During a traction law, all motorists must EITHER: Colorado recently announced with Colorado Bill 19-1207 that Colorado`s laws for winter driving passenger cars are changing. The new traction law increases the tread required for a suitable tyre. It changed the minimum tread required for vehicles on snowy roads to 3/16 inch from the previous 1/8 inch on every tire (all season, winter or summer) you have on I-70 in the Morrison Mountains to Dotsero (near Glenwood) from September 1 to May 31. Fines if you are caught failing to comply with the updated law can range from $130 to $650, with the highest fines being imposed if your lack of compliance forces you to deviate and block the road or cause a collision. CDOT went to great lengths to promote the new law at the 28th annual Denver SkiSnowExpo from October 25-27, 2019. AutoSock attended the Expo to promote law awareness and safe driving in Colorado. The law states that you must have an all-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle with all-season tires. All-season tires are marked with a variant of M + S, winter tires complete with the mountain surrounding a snowflake. All this may seem like a disadvantage to some people, especially on the driest days of winter. However, it is important to remember that all of this is in the best interest of public safety. If everyone does their part, it will be a safer ski season for everyone.
You may have to spend a little more time and money to make sure you can stick to one of the three options on offer, but a safer driving experience on the I-70 is worth it. Cdot has approved the AutoSock as the only chain-designated alternative traction device that is accepted in the state for commercial vehicles and passenger cars. More information can be found on the website: Passenger or Truck. PDF graphic with winter tips for Colorado`s chain laws. Colorado recently updated passenger traction and chain laws, for more information, click here. Alternative traction devices are great tools for better traction when you can`t afford a whole new tire overhaul right away. Tire chains can be a very simple solution to your traction problems, but it`s important to find the right ones for your vehicle. Many vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking system, traction control, all-wheel drive and other electronically monitored control systems have better compatibility with Z chains, where the chains zigzag up and down. Other vehicles that don`t have any of these systems may be better off with radial chains that are really simple and simply roll horizontally on your tires. There are a few different variants outside of these two that may work better for your vehicle, but either way, it`s important to take the time to find the right fit. These chains will cost you between $40 and over $100 per pop and depending on your vehicle, you should only need to buy tire chains for your tires that are used for traction.
View full list of approved reciprocating traction devices The Colorado Chain Act was enacted in 1996. It applies to all federal, federal and state highways. It includes two levels for commercial vehicles: If you`re not familiar with tire tread depth, 3/16 inch is still not a very strict requirement, as most auto repair shops suggest you buy new tires once your tread depth reaches a 4/16-inch point. A simple trick to test the depth of your own tire tread if you don`t have measuring tools with you is to use a quarter. If you put the quarter upside down in your tired tread and the tread reaches at least the top of George Washington`s head, then you have a tread depth of 4/16 on an inch or more and are good for walking. If not, it may be time to buy new tires or buy another towing device. It was a direct response to traffic jams on the I-70 and problems with drivers who didn`t have adequate traction in bad weather. Commercial vehicles have had traction laws for some time, but passenger traction laws didn`t have the “teeth” to move everyone safely down the hallway to travel or enjoy the mountains. When the Passenger Car Chain Act is in force, each vehicle must be equipped with chains or an approved alternative traction device. If you`re an Avid I-70 traveler, you may already be familiar with the new traction law introduced in Colorado this year. If you are not, this is a good time to become aware of what it is and how to avoid problems with it. The reciprocating traction control device known as autoSock™ remains an approved device in Colorado.
Commercial vehicles (with one or two axles) with a total laden weight of more than 26,000 people or more have the option of using AutoSock™ instead of chains. This traction control is a fabric that slides on the exterior drive wheels of a vehicle and provides additional traction on snowy and icy roads. It can also be installed on the tire in less time than traditional chains. In summary, in winter in the mountains, you must have access to an approved traction device such as tire chains or AutoSock in a two-wheel drive vehicle.