Oregon residents can legally use studded tires starting Thursday, but state leaders are asking drivers to take advantage of other options first. Use your headlights for tunnels and bridges. It can be more difficult to see tunnel and bridge entrances in the event of a power outage. Use your headlights when visibility is limited and be careful. The Oregon Department of Transportation suggests that those who choose to use bolts — strong metal parts screwed directly into tires — may actually affect traction. The bolts are designed for very specific road conditions (and some tires) and can only be legally used in Oregon from November 1 to March 31. Being caught with studded tires before or after the set dates is a Class C violation and can result in a fine of up to $200. ODOT suggests that bolts be used exclusively on icy roads. If roads are wet or covered with fresh snow, tunnels may do more harm than good. Interestingly, some of the coldest states — including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan — ban studded tires, according to tirebuyer.com.
— Andrew Theenatheen@oregonian.com503-294-4026@andrewtheen ODOT encourages motorists to wait until conditions require a mirror and recommends using alternatives such as chains or traction tires that can cause less damage to the road. Tests by the Society of Automotive Engineers found that with the headlights off, drivers can see oncoming cars when they are at an average distance of 2,074 feet. With the headlights on, this distance doubles to an average of 4,720 feet. Annual permits can also be purchased online at www.oregondmv.com/dmv2u. When you purchase an annual permit online, you will immediately receive a printable provisional approval by email. The preliminary permit can be used for up to 14 days until you receive the annual permit in the mail. It is illegal to pass a snowplow on the right side of federal highways. On most Oregon highways, snowplows have “wing plows” that protrude more than eight feet from the right front edge of the truck. Snow cleared or blown off the road can contain rocks and other debris that can damage vehicles.
Oregonians have options when it comes to travel. We have bus service in all major metropolitan areas and even in some of our smaller communities. Across the state, regional bus services offer traction tires that provide increased traction in winter conditions, but do not have metal studs. ODOT said they work just as well as studded tires on ice, but perform better than studded tires or regular tires in most other winter conditions. Traction tires do not cause more damage to road surfaces than regular tires. It`s important to keep safety in mind when driving on icy or snowy roads. How to prepare this winter: During the winter months, turn on your low beam during the day to make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. When natural light is low, at dawn or dusk, or when it`s raining, cloudy or snowing, you can greatly improve your vehicle`s visibility.
Remember to keep your car`s headlights clean. Get into the habit of turning off your lights at the gas station. This way, you are ready for poor visibility. Black ice is most common at night and very early in the morning, when temperatures are usually lowest. It`s usually thin enough to melt soon after sunlight, but it can last much longer on shaded areas of roads. The ground cools more slowly than the air and also warms up more slowly, so even if the air temperature is above freezing, the pavement can still be frozen. This difference in temperatures can put motorists to sleep in a false sense of security. It`s much easier to put chains on for the first time if you don`t have to struggle to read the instructions along a snowy road. Practice installing your chains at home when the weather is nice.
Then, if road conditions require chains, you already know how to use them. PORTLAND, Oregon. (KOIN) – Residents of Oregon and Washington are now legally allowed to put studded tires on their vehicles in anticipation of the winter season. Winter weather can make driving dangerous for everyone, but if you`re driving a 70-foot vehicle weighing up to 105,500 pounds, slippery roads and poor visibility can be especially challenging. On average, 100 truck accidents with injury or death occur each year in snowy or icy conditions in Oregon. The ODOT Commerce and Compliance division offers tips and resources, including a short video, to help drivers prepare for winter driving in Oregon. Drivers attempting to overtake on the right of a snowplow run the risk of damaging their vehicle, hitting the snowplow, or going off the road in a snow bank or guardrail. While it`s legal to use studded tires, the Oregon Department of Transportation says on its website that damage from studded tires costs Oregans about $8.5 million a year “because roads need to be resurfaced sooner than usual.” Are studded tires really necessary or are we just buying the hype? And are studs enough, or is jumping for a brand new set of winter tires really the only way to avoid winter road hazards? Studded tires will be legal again in Oregon starting Nov. 1. (Doug Beghtel) If you are driving in fog, slow down to accommodate limited visibility. In the most severe situations, a dense fog advisory is issued when visibility is reduced to less than a quarter mile. Follow these safety tips when driving in fog: “If you must travel when weather conditions cause difficulties, use other types of traction tires or chains, or postpone your trip until conditions change for the better,” the state said in a statement.
The Oregon Department of Transportation said traction tires are legal statewide from Nov. 1 to March 31. The news comes as snow falls on Mount Hood and other parts of the waterfalls this week. When it comes to easy travel, Harris believes bolts should be added to rear-wheel drive vehicles, but most other vehicles should be able to handle the terrain. “If you have rear-wheel drive and no bolts, you`re going to go crazy.” However, he pointed out that long distances in winter require more preparation – yes, even if you`re rocking a Subie. “When you cross the pass, you want crampons without crampons,” he said. While the study is recommended for long-distance travel, some larger vehicles should still be able to make the trip. “Any giant 4-wheeler, like a Toyota Tundra, should be fine.” Harris intervened in the debate about studs versus winter tires. “Of course, it is necessary to prepare your car for winter to some extent,” he explained. “We have bad weather.” What to do in preparation: “It depends on the vehicle. If you drive a 4×4 or all-wheel drive, you do well without a bolt.
Subarus is an ideal vehicle for Bend. But what about the type of winter tires that come with metal studs? Studded tires are like studded shoes for cars. Metal lugs on tires provide better traction in icy or snowy conditions. Studded tires have small metal parts that are inserted around the tire. They allow better traction on icy roads. Bolts must protrude at least 0.04 inches but no more than 0.06 inches beyond the tread, according to TripCheck. The cost of nailing varies depending on the make and model of the vehicle. And not all winter tires can have studs, so some drivers may also need to buy studded tires. Ask about prices when you make an appointment. For those who do not know whether studs are necessary or not, they can contact a local specialist. Studding is available for as little as $15/tire (although drivers will need to purchase special studded tires), while winter tires typically cost between $100 and $400 each, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. People can remove the studs themselves.
Kenny Harris, assistant manager of Gills Point S Tire in Bend, explained what he thinks is behind the notorious local potholes — and it`s not the studs he recommends for rear-wheel drive vehicles. “In my opinion, potholes are not due to bolts. I think it has to do with huge wooden trucks with huge chains and school buses with 30-pound chains. Not those little tunnels. Be vigilant at railway crossings. Power outages can also affect crossings. The crossing signals have a built-in backup power battery and should continue to operate for a short time in the event of a power failure. In the event of a prolonged power outage or other problem, the crossing arms automatically move to the “bottom” position. Railway undertakings shall have standardised procedures for such situations.
Never drive in a low position around the crossing arms. A train could arrive. Placing snow in the driveway or on the emergency lane is a danger to other road users and to our snowplow drivers. Pieces of snow and ice form an uneven road surface that can surprise the driver and cause accidents. While cutting costs and curses for Californians may seem like the most sensible option — especially when the coming winter is mild — it`s important to exercise extreme caution, regardless of your experience in the snow. Snow socks are like fabric alternatives to chains. They are a good option for vehicles that cannot be equipped with tire tracks. Snow socks slide over tires, providing temporary traction to get out of a snowy spot. They are only intended for short distances in winter conditions. Drivers can use chains to increase traction on ice or snow or other types of traction tires that will not damage roads. Sno Park permits issued in California and Idaho are recognized in Oregon, and Oregon permits are recognized in those states.
Studded tires may not be useful if you plan to return home normally, but they can be useful for drivers planning a trip to snowy regions or mountains where temperatures drop below freezing.