I definitely agree about the inexperience. People have to get experience somehow. They should just be considered negligent if they don’t chain up when required. Or if it is very obvious that they were driving too fast for conditions (I.e. damage done to vehicle/guardrails/etc)

That must be so frustrating when you’re doing that drive so much! And good call on hwy 2. That’s a winter driving nightmare.

The semis are a HUGE problem. I follow WSDOT on social media as they are very good with their communication; I feel like a lot of human caused closures are jack knifed and overturned semis. But they also frequently mention unprepared drivers. It’s actually what spurred me posting this yesterday.

And this seems to result in people following the law? It seems like it might just be a matter of enforcement!

Ah, just a misunderstanding :)

I do think it could be proven, but I guess it’s a matter of the resources to do it.

If someone gets killed, at least the driver at fault will get legal punishment??! That is so freaking reactive. Why not just be proactive. It’s hardly asking much.

Chains/cables cost like $40-$80 and take less than 20 minutes to install on the front two tires. And I even saw someone in another comment say that Les Schwab let’s you return them at the end of the season if they didn’t get used.

Someone can have summer/non snow tires. I’m not trying saying the state needs to dictate expensive purchases like that. They should just be putting chains on if they are driving in snowy/icy conditions.

I completely agree. It seems to have really accelerated people getting outside, which is great… but the education maybe hasn’t caught up.

I don’t think it is outrageous to think information on this topic might exist. It’s not that hard to prove that a car causing an accident doesn’t have traction tires. Or doesn’t have chains on.

But I would like to add that I very clearly expressed in my post that I might be incorrect in this assumption, and would be interested to know if it exists.

Edit: I also never said “everything”.

I should start by saying, when I’m referencing chains, I’m also referring to cables as well(they are included in the law when referencing chains).

That is annoying that they still proceeded to drive without them. I know it can be intimidating to install chains for the first time, but even then, I’m pretty sure there are people in the chain off area that will install them for you for like $20.

And when chains are required, they generally have signs pretty far out telling you, so at that point common sense should come into play. But asking for common sense is where hope is lost I guess 😂

That makes sense. I think that is a good policy to ticket at that point. Just wish there was something more preventative. I guess just getting the word out, for now 😔

I could get on board with a more progressive ticketing system. Though I cringe at the idea of putting my full tax returns in more hands than necessary. Maybe some sort of IRS verification. Probably a lot of hoops to jump through on that one though 😅

That is nice to know. How do they enforce it? Do they stop everyone and check their vehicles? Or is it just if they happen to be doing a stop for another reason?

I think the government “should play baby sitter” because the passes being closed has a large impact on the local communities, people that rely on it as their commute, and also transportation of goods. And most importantly, the person causing accidents because they thought their AWD with summer tires and no chains was good enough, is putting the lives of everyone else on the road at risk by driving with an unprepared vehicle. It’s not so simple.

Perhaps a fine isn’t the solution. But traction tires, chains, etc being required when conditions justify it, is absolutely necessary.

You might be on to something!

You’re definitely right about the costs associated with it.

Maybe storms are getting worse than they used to be so it’s more noticeable? I don’t ever recall the pass being closed as much as it has been over the past 5 or so years.

I think you’re probably right about the timing of a ticket like that. Insurance would definitely be a spot to hit people.

Enforcement beforehand is so tough. It would be nice in theory, but the time it would take to enforce, both in law enforcements time (and their safety) and in taxpayer dollars. I feel like it just never pans out.

Why not both 😂

I think you’re right, but I guess my frustration might just be that it seems the problem persists and I’m curious what people think could be done to minimize the closures.

Hey thanks for sharing this! We shall see indeed.

Meow. Someone has a bone to pick. I was just spitballing ideas and left the floor open for conversation. No need to get your panties in a bunch with unrelated, mindless assumptions.

You sound like a Tucker Carlson rant: “Socialist Sawant Bot thinks drunk drivers should only be ticketed if they cause an accident!”

I suppose at this point, I should have just said any new snow, because it seems like people can’t even drive with an inch on the ground.