Winter-driving bill passes Colorado House, moves ahead to Polis

The Legislature is sending the governor a bill to force drivers to watch their tread or be prepared to chain up on Interstate 70 in the mountains in the winter.

House Bill 1207 is seen as a vehicle to untangle winter traffic jams caused on I-70 and curb accidents by ill-prepared passenger vehicles sliding into accidents.

The House on Tuesday voted to accept a Senate amendment to the bill. The Senate added an instruction for the state Department of Transportation to study ways to inform the public about the proposed new law this summer.

The bill would require passenger vehicles — the rule already applies to professional trucks and buses — to mind their traction from Morrison 126 miles west to Dotsero from Sept. 1 to May 31. The measure would require chains or alternate traction devices; four-wheel or all-wheel drive with tires that have at least three-sixteenths inch in depth; or snow tires.

Read more: https://gazette.com/news/winter-driving-bill-passes-colorado-house-moves-ahead-to-polis/article_3d58039f-573a-5560-966d-e4ed0e81e9ff.html