Not Every 'All-Season' Tire Complies With Traction Laws
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- Drivers may think they're in the clear with all-season tires this winter, but as the Colorado Department of Transportation ramps up its enforcement of traction laws in the high country for all vehicles, some may be caught off guard.
CDOT spokeswoman Amy Ford says even if your tires have adequate tread if they don't carry the M/S (mud and snow) designation, they are not legal and you may find yourself stuck with a $650 fine.
"We are getting a lot of questions, folks not understanding what the traction laws are," Big O' Tires store manager Sergio Alvarz told CBS4 Wednesday.
The tire shop is buzzing, some folks lining up an hour before the store opens to get their tires ready for winter.
Alvarz says not all of their all-season tires carry that designation and the easiest way to find out is if you look along the sidewall of the tire and see if it has a snowflake or mountain icon.
Drivers caught on a road that is under the traction law without either proper snow tires, 4-wheel drive or chains, the Colorado State Patrol could issue a fine.
Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.