Tire-chain requirement change for enhanced safety on certain Tahoe state roads
Submitted by Brett Fisher on Thu, 02/07/2019 - 3:53pm
The Nevada Department of Transportation is reminding motorists of traction device requirement changes on certain Tahoe-area highways which require two-wheel drive vehicles to also use approved tire chains/traction devices during winter chain restrictions.
The updated requirements went into place this past fall. All vehicle types with chain or snow tires were previously allowed during chain requirements.
Under the new requirement, only four-wheel or all-wheel vehicles with snow tires and all vehicles with approved tire chains are allowed when chain requirements are in place on the following state roads:
— State Route 431 (Mt. Rose Highway)
— State Route 207 (Kingsbury Grade)
— U.S. Highway 50, between Glenbrook and Carson City.
Tire and chain requirements did not change on other highways.
The change is aimed at enhancing traffic mobility and safety on roughly 50 miles of mountainous state highway in the Tahoe area. The restrictions help ensure all vehicles on the road are equipped with enhanced traction support for certain elements of winter driving.
Twenty road-side chain restriction signs have been updated to reflect the new change. The revised chain requirements are also reflected on the nvroads.com, the NDOT road conditions web site.
In just three recent winters, more than 300 crashes have occurred on the mountain highways. Statewide, as many as 2,000 crashes occur every year due to unsafe driving in snow, ice and other wet conditions, such as driving too fast for conditions or following too closely.
Because no type of traction control or device can offer absolute traction and safety during winter driving, motorists are reminded to only travel when necessary in winter weather.
If necessary to travel, drivers should reduce their speed for conditions and leave space between their vehicle and others. Wearing a seat belt and focusing on the road are other important driving tips for any type of weather.
Updated state road conditions, including winter road closures and incidents, are available by dialing 5-1-1 in Nevada or logging on to nvroads.com before driving.
Drivers can also view live traffic cameras and sign up for free traffic alerts for their state road commute.
Winter driving tips
— Only travel in winter weather when necessary, leave enough time to safely reach your destination and plan your route to help avoid snowy/icy areas and steep hills.
— Before driving, check weather and road conditions by dialing 511 within Nevada (or 1-877-NV-ROADS outside of Nevada) or logging on to www.nvroads.com.
— Buckle up.
— Turn off cruise control.
— Avoid quick starts, stops and fast turns. Accelerate, brake and steer smoothly and gradually.
— Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions.
— Do not slam on brakes. Apply steady pressure on ABS-equipped vehicles and pump the brakes if necessary on non-ABS vehicles.
— Always comply with all posted chain requirements.
— If your vehicle has snow tires, install and use them between October 1 and April 30.
— Leave additional space between your vehicle and other vehicles. Do not pass without good sight distance/clearance.
- Carson City
- 000
- April
- carson
- City
- drivers
- Driving
- Fall
- Free
- Glenbrook
- help
- highway
- Ice
- live
- mobility
- mountain
- mt rose
- NDOT
- Nevada
- Nevada Department of Transportation
- new
- News
- October
- Road closures
- Safety
- Snow
- Space
- state
- Support
- tahoe
- The Nevada Department of Transportation
- tires
- travel
- U
- vehicle
- weather
- web site
- Winter
- Traffic
