Date:  Thursday, October 21, 2010

Contact: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, 360-705-7080 (Olympia)
Sergeant J. J. Gundermann, WSP Communications, 360-596-4014 (Olympia)

OLYMPIA – It’s time to prepare for winter travel.

Forecasts call for the season’s first mountain-pass snowfall on Saturday, with freezing levels dropping near 4,000 feet. Drivers heading over Washington’s major mountain pass highways, such as US 12 White Pass (4,500 feet) US 2 Stevens Pass (4,061 feet) and I-90 Snoqualmie Pass (3,022 feet) should be prepared for winter conditions.

Find a list of items to carry in that winter-driving emergency kit, learn about Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) winter program, get answers to frequently asked questions, and more at www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter .

Travelers can also sign up for mountain pass e-mail alerts and find many other ways to “know before you go .”

The Washington State Patrol reminds all drivers and freight haulers that state law requires commercial vehicles and combinations of vehicles more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to carry sufficient tire chains between Nov. 1 and April 1. This includes some larger passenger trucks, SUVs, recreational vehicles and trucks hauling trailers. Troopers will strictly enforce the Nov. 1 deadline.

Studded tires are legal for use only between Nov. 1 and March 31. Motorists are encouraged to visit their tire dealers for chains and find out about tires that provide traction and are legal for use year-round.

Here’s what drivers can do to prepare:

• Get your car ready and plan extra time if driving through winter conditions. 
• Carry chains and know the traction and chain requirements.
• Watch a video to learn how to install your tire chains.
• Sign up for news at www.wsdot.wa.gov/inform.
• Go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather for statewide weather forecasts and road temperatures.

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