State Tire Chain Laws
There are about as many different chain laws as there are
states, ranging from no requirements to very detailed laws. Here's a
breakdown on each states' chain requirements.
| State |
Regulations and laws regarding chains and metal studs on tires |
More Info |
| Alabama |
§32-5-410. Tire requirements.
(b)No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery
any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberances of
any material other than rubber which project beyond the tread of the
traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to
use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not
injure the highway and, except also, that
it shall be permissible to use tire chains or metal studded or safety
spike tires of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required
for safety because of snow, rain or other conditions tending to cause a
vehicle to slide or skid.
|
|
| Alaska |
Sec. 28.35.155. Operation of vehicle with
certain tires prohibited (a) It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle
with studded tires or tires with chains attached on a paved highway or
road from May 1 through September 15, inclusive, north of 60 North
Latitude and from April 15 through September 30, inclusive, south of 60
North Latitude, except that any latitude on a paved portion of the
Sterling Highway a person may not operate a motor vehicle with studded
tires or tires with chains attached from May 1 through September 15,
inclusive. (b) In this section "studded tire" means a tire with metal
studs or spikes imbedded in the periphery of the tire surface, and
protruding not more than one-forth inch from the tire surface
|
|
| Arizona |
A.R.S. § 28-958 (2004) § 28-958.
Tire equipment restrictions B. A tire on a vehicle that is moved on a
highway shall not have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat,
spike or other protuberance that is made of any material other than
rubber and that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of
the tire, except that it is permissible to use: 2.
Tire chains of reasonable proportions on a vehicle when required for
safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a
vehicle to skid. From October 1 to May 1 pneumatic tires
containing metal type studs of tungsten carbide or other suitable
material that are inserted or constructed in a manner so the the number
of studs or the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway does
not exceed three percent of the total tire area in contact with the
roadway under any conditions.
|
|
| Arkansas |
A.C.A. § 27-37-401 (2003) §
27-37-401. (c) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on
its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, spike, or any other
protuberances of any material except rubber which projects beyond the
tread of the traction surface of the tire, with the following
exceptions (2) It shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle for safety; (3) It shall be permissible to use metal studded tires as prescribed in § 27-37-402.
|
|
| California |
Cal Veh Code § 27454 (2004) §
27454. Protuberances on tires. No tire on any vehicle upon any highway
shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, ridge,
bead, or any other protuberance of metal or wood that projects beyond
the tread of the traction surface of the tire. This section does not
apply to any of the following:(a) Tire traction devices of reasonable size used to prevent skidding when upon wet surfaces or when upon snow or ice.
(b) Pneumatic tires that have embedded therein wire not to exceed 0.075
of an inch in diameter and that are so constructed that under no
conditions will the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway
exceed 5 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway,
except that during the first 1,000 miles of use or operation of the
tire, the metal in contact with the roadway may exceed 5 percent of the
tire area in contact with the roadway, but shall in no event exceed 20
percent of the area. (c) Vehicles operated upon unimproved roadways
when necessary in the construction or repair of highways. (d) Traction
engines or tractors when operated under the conditions of a permit
first obtained from the Department of Transportation. (e) Pneumatic
tires containing metal-type studs of tungsten carbide or other suitable
material that are so inserted or constructed that under no conditions
will the number of studs or the percentage of metal in contact with the
roadway exceed 3 percent of the total tire area in contact with the
roadway, between November 1 and April 30 of each year. The
commissioner, after consultation with the Department of Transportation,
may extend the period of time during which studded pneumatic tires may
be used in any area of the state for the protection of the public
because of adverse weather conditions. (f) Pneumatic tires used on an
authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 165, containing
metal-type studs of tungsten carbide or other suitable material, it the
studs are so inserted or constructed that under no conditions will the
number of studs or the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway
exceed 3 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway.
Notwithstanding subdivision (e), authorized emergency vehicles are
permitted the unrestricted use of studded pneumatic tires throughout
the year.
|
More Info |
| Colorado |
C.R.S. 42-4-106 (2003) 42-4-106. (5) (a) (I) the
department of transportation shall also have the authority to close any
portion of a state highway to public travel or to prohibit the use
thereof unless motor vehicles using the same are equipped with tire
chains, four-wheel drive with adequate tires for the existing
conditions, or snow tires with a "mud and snow" or all weather rating
from the manufacturer having a tread of sufficient abrasive or
skid-resistant design or composition and depth to provide adequate
traction under existing driving conditions during storms or when other
dangerous driving conditions exist or during construction or
maintenance operations whenever the department considers such closing
or restriction or use necessary for the protection and safety of the
public. Such prohibition or restriction of use shall be effective when
signs, including temporary or electronic signs, giving notice thereof
are erected upon such portion os said highway, and it shall be unlawful
to proceed in violation of such notice. The Colorado state patrol shall
cooperate with the department of transportation in the enforcement of
any such closing or restriction of use. "Tire chains", as used in this
subsection (5) means metal chains which consist of two circular metal
loops, one on each side of the tire, connected by not less than nine
evenly spaced chains across the tire tread and any other traction
devices differing from such metal chains in construction, material, or
design but capable of providing traction equal to or exceeding that of
such metal chains under similar conditions. The operator of a
commercial vehicle with four or more drive wheels other than a bus
shall affix tire chains to at least four of the drive wheel tires of
such vehicle when such vehicle is required to be equipped with tire
chains under this subsection (5). The operator of a bus shall affix
tire chains to at least two of the drive wheel tires of such vehicle
when such vehicle is required to be equipped with tire chains under
this subsection (5).
C.R.S. 42-4-228 (2003) 42-4-228. Restrictions on tire
equipment (3) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its
periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, spike, or any other
protuberances of any material except rubber which projects beyond the
tread of the traction surface of the tire; except that, on single-tired
passenger vehicles and on other single-tired vehicles with rated
capacities up to and including three-forth's ton, it shall be
permissible to use tires containing studs or other protuberances which
do not project more than one-sixteenth of and inch beyond the tread of
the traction surface of the tire; and except that it shall be
permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which
will not injure the highway; and except also that it shall be
permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any
vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other
conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.
|
More info |
| Connecticut |
(51) "Nonskid device" means any device applied to the
tires, wheels, axles or frame of a motor vehicle for the purpose of
increasing the traction of the motor vehicle.
Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-98 (2003) §14-98. Tires.
Each vehicle operated upon any highway or bridge shall be equipped with
tires of rubber, or other elastic substance, approved by the
commissioner, and the wheels shall be so constructed that no metal part
of the wheel or tire be in contact with the surface of the road at any
time when such vehicle is in motion upon the highway, except such
vehicle may be equipped with tires incorporating a metal nonskid device
during the period from November fifteenth to April thirtieth, inclusive.
|
|
| Delaware |
21 Del. C. § 4302 (2004) § 4302.
Projections from periphery of tires; exceptions (a) No tire on a
vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud,
flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberances of any material other
than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of
the tire, except as otherwise provided in this section. Farm machinery
with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway may
be used, and tire chains of reasonable proportions may
be used upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice
or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. (b) The use of studded tires on all motor vehicles using the highways of this State is permitted from October 15 to April 15.
|
|
| Florida |
|
|
| Georgia |
O.C.G.A. § 40-8-74 (2004)
§40-8-74. Tires (c) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall
have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any
other protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects
beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it
shall be permissible to use: (2) Tire chains of
reasonable proportions or tires equipped with safety metal spike studs
upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or
other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.
|
|
| Hawaii |
§ 291-33. Projections on face of
wheels prohibited. There shall not be operated or moved upon any public
road, street, or highway with the State, any vehicle, motor vehicle, or
other power vehicle the face of the wheels of which are fitted or
equipped with flanges, ribs, clamps, cleats, lugs, chains, spikes, or
other projections, other than rubber blocks, destructive to the road
surfaces. This provision applies to all rings or flanges upon guiding
or steering wheels of such vehicles, but it shall not be so construed
as to prevent (1) the use of ordinary detachable tire or skid chains,
or (2) the use of studded snow tires on either the Mauna Kea access
road above Hale Pahaku or on any road within the Mauna Kea Science
Reserve leased to the University of Hawaii.
|
|
| Idaho |
§ 49.948. Restrictions as to tire
equipment (3) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its
periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other
protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects beyond
the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except as allowed
herein. It shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having
protuberances which will not injure the highway, and it shall be
permissible to use tire chains. Tires with built-in lugs of tungsten
carbide or other suitable material, hereinafter called studs, may be
used upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or
other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid, that will not
unduly damage the highway. Motor vehicles, trailers and semi trailers
with tires having built-in studs are prohibited on public highways
between the dates of May 1 and September 30, annually, except as
provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection: (a) Fire
pumper/tanker trucks and ladder trucks belonging to fire departments
and firefighting agencies are exempt from the prohibited dates. (b)
Special exemptions from the prohibited dates may be granted by the
Idaho transportation board if it is found by the board that
enhancements to public safety outweigh the increased pavement wear.
|
|
| Illinois |
§ 625 ILCS 5/12-401. Restriction as
to tire equipment Sec. 12-401. Restriction as to tire equipment.
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the use of tire
chains of reasonable proportion upon any vehicle when required for
safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a
vehicle to skid.
|
|
| Indiana |
§ 9-19-18-3. Use of block, stud,
flange, cleat, or spike on tire periphery. (a) Except as provided in
subsections (b) through (d), a tire on a vehicle moved on a highway may
not have on the tire's periphery a block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike
or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber that
projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire. (c) Tire
chains of reasonable proportions may be used upon a vehicle when
required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending
to cause a vehicle to skid. (d) From October 1 to the following May 1,
a vehicle may use tires in which have been inserted ice grips or tire
studs of wear-resisting material, installed in a manner the provides
resiliency upon contact with the road, with projections that do not
exceed three thirty-seconds (3/32) of an inch beyond the tread of the
traction surface of the tire, and constructed to prevent any
appreciable damage to the road surface.
|
|
| Iowa |
Iowa Code § 321.442 (2003) 321.442
Projections on wheels. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall
have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any
other protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects
beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire except that it
shall be permissible to use: 2: Tire chains of reasonable proportions
upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or
other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. 3. Pneumatic tires
with inserted ice grips or tire studs projecting not more than on
sixteenth inch beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire
upon any vehicle from November 1 of each year to April 1 of the
following year, except that a school bus and fire department emergency
apparatus may use such tires at any time.
|
|
| Kansas |
K.S.A. § 8-1742 (2003) 8-1742.
Restrictions as to tire equipment: (c) No tire on a vehicle moved on a
highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or
spike or any other protuberances of any material other than rubber
which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire
except that it shall be permissible to use: (2) tire chains of
reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety
because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to
skid. (3) studded traction equipment upon any vehicle when required for
safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a
vehicle to skid; or (4) pneumatic tires having metallic or nonmetallic
studs designed to improve traction without materially injuring the
surface of the highway. To qualify under paragraph (3) or (4), such
tires or studded traction equipment shall be approved by the secretary
of transportation by adoption of rules and regulations, and their use
may be limited to certain months or types of vehicles by such rules and
regulations.
|
|
| Kentucky |
KRS § 189.190 (2004)§ 189.190.
Chains and lugs on wheels -- Thickness of solid rubber tires (1) No
person shall use on a highway not covered with ice, a vehicle with a
chained wheel, unless the wheel rests upon an ice shoe at least six (6)
inches wide. (2) Where chains are used on rubber-tired vehicles, the
cross chains shall be not more than three-fourths (3/4) of an inch in
thickness or diameter, and shall be spaced not more than ten (10)
inches apart, around the circumference of the tires.
|
|
| Louisiana |
La. R.S. 32:362 (2004) §362
Restrictions as to tire equipment B. No tire on a vehicle moved on a
highway shall have on its periphery any protuberances of any material,
other than rubber, which projects beyond the thread of the traction
surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to: (2) Use
tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle, when required
for safety because of conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or
skid.
|
|
| Maine |
29-A M.R.S. § 1924 (2003)§ 1919.
Studded tires 1. Prohibited May 1st to October 1st. Except as provided
in subsections 2 and 3, from the first day of May to the first day of
October, a person may not operate a vehicle with tires having metal
studs, wires, spikes or other metal protruding from the tire tread.2.
Extension of use period and issuance of permit. Extended use of studded
tires may be permitted according to this subsection. A. A person may
use studded tires for periods other than those specified in subsection
1, if the Commissioner of Transportation extends the use period or, in
a special case, issues a permit covering stated periods of time for the
use of studded tires.
|
|
| Maryland |
Md. Transportation Code Ann. §
21-1119 (2003) § 21-1119. (d) Travel on snow emergency routes. --
A person may not drive or attempt to drive a motor vehicle other than a
motorcycle, on any highway that is designated and appropriately
signposted as a snow emergency route and for which a snow emergency has
been declared and is in effect, unless the vehicle is equipped with
chains or snow tires on at least one wheel at each end of a driving
axle.
|
|
| Massachusetts |
ALM GL ch. 90, §16 (2004)§ 16.
No person, except a duly authorized person driving an emergency fire
vehicle, shall operate a motor vehicle equipped with metal studded
tires upon a public highway between May the first and November the
first; provided, however, the registrar may authorize the use of such
tires before November the first, if weather conditions require the use
thereof.
|
|
| Michigan |
MCL § 257.710§ 257.710. (a) A
person shall not operate on a public highway of this state a vehicle or
special mobile equipment which has metal or plastic track or a tire
which is equipped with metal that comes in contact with the surface of
the road or which has a partial contact of metal or plastic with the
surface of the road, except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and
(e). (b) A person shall not operate on a highway a vehicle which has a
tire that has on its periphery a block, stud, flange, cleat, spike, or
other protuberance of a material other than rubber which projects
beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except as
provided in subsections (c), (d), and (e). A person may also use a tire
chain of reasonable proportion upon a vehicle when required for safety
because of snow, ice, or other condition tending to cause a vehicle to
skid. (c) A person may operate on a highway a vehicle which has a
pneumatic tire in which wire of 0.075 inches in diameter or less is
embedded in the tire is constructed so that the percent of metal in
contact with the highway does not exceed 5% of the total tire area in
contact with the roadway, except that during the first 1,000 miles of
use or operation of the tire the metal in contact with the highway
shall not exceed 20% of the area. (d) The department of state highways
and transportation shall promulgate rules establishing acceptable
standards to permit the use of a tire with studs or other traction
devices to be used on a street or highway after April 1, 1975. The
rules shall make separate provision for the extreme winter snow and ice
conditions of the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula. The
rules shall include a restriction on the amount and dimension of
protrusions that may be allowed on a tire, the type of material that
may be used in a stud, traction device, or tire, and the amount of road
wear that a tire with studs or other traction devices may cause on a
street or highway. (e) A person may operate on a highway a vehicle
which has pneumatic tire in which are inserted ice grips or tire studs
if the person is a law enforcement officer operating a vehicle owned by
a law enforcement agency, a person operating an ambulance, or a United
States postal service rural carrier driving a vehicle the rural carrier
owns and maintains as a prerequisite to employment in the postal
service.
|
|
| Minnesota |
Minn. Stat. § 169.72 (2003) 169.72
Tire surface; metal studs Subdivision 1. Solid rubber, metal, and
studded tires; exceptions; permits (c) Except as otherwise provided in
this section, no tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its
periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other
protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects beyond
the tread of the traction surface of the tire. It shall be permissible
to use any of the following on highways: implements of husbandry with
tires having protuberances which will no injure the highway, and it
shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon
any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other
conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.
|
|
| Mississippi |
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-67 (2004)
§63-7-67. Tires. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall
have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any
other protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects
beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire. However, it shall
be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances
which will not injure the highway, and it shall be permissible to use
tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required
for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a
vehicle to skid.
|
|
| Missouri |
§ 307.171 R.S.Mo (2004) §307.171. Studded
tires, prohibited when--penalty. 1. No person shall operate any vehicle
on any road or highway of this state between the first day of April and
the first day of November while the motor vehicle is equipped with
tires containing metal or carbide studs.
|
|
| Montana |
61-9-406. Restrictions as to tire
equipment -- particular tires, chains, or traction equipment. (3) A
tire on a vehicle moved on a highway may not have on its periphery any
block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberances of any
material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the
traction surface of the tire. However, it shall be permissible to use
farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure
the highway. It is also permissible to use tire chains of reasonable
proportions or pneumatic tires, the traction surfaces of which have
been embedded with material, such as wood, wire, plastic or metal, that
may not protrude more than one-sixteenth of an inch beyond the tire
tread or that are clearly marked by the manufacturer on the
sidewalls"all season m&s" (or "all season mud and snow"), upon a
vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other
conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. The use of pneumatic
tires embedded as provided in this section is permitted only between
October 1 and May 31 of each year, except that on of those tires may be
used for a spare in case of tire failure. School busses equipped with
such embedded pneumatic tires may operate from August 15 through the
following June 15.
(5)If the department of transportation determines at any time that
dangerous or unsafe conditions on a highway require particular tires,
tire chains, or traction equipment for vehicles in addition to or
beyond the ordinary pneumatic rubber tires, the department may
establish the following recommendations or requirements with respect to
the use of the equipment for all vehicles on the highway:
(a) chains or other approved traction devices recommended for driver wheels;
(b) chains or other approved traction devices required for driver wheels; or
(c) chains required for driver wheels.
(6)Equipment required by subsection (5)(b) or (5)(c) must conform to rules established by the department of justice.
(7)The department of transportation shall place and maintain signs and
other traffic control devices on a highway designated under subsection
(5) that indicate the tire, tire chain, or traction equipment
recommendation or requirement determined for vehicles. The signs or
traffic control devices may not prohibit the use of pneumatic tires
embedded as provided in subsection (3) between October 1 and May 31 of
each year, but when the department of transportation determines that
chains are required and that no other traction equipment will suffice,
the requirement is applicable to tires on driver wheels of one axle of
a vehicle, including embedded tires. The signs or traffic control
devices may differentiate in recommendations for four-wheel-drive
vehicles in gear.
|
|
| Nebraska |
1. R.R.S. Neb. § 60-6,250 (2004), (2)
No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any
block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberance of any
material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the
traction surface of the tire, except that: (a) This prohibition shall
no apply to pneumatic tires with metal or meta-type studs not exceeding
five-sixteenths of an inch in diameter inclusive of the stud-casing
with an average protrusion beyond the tread surface of not more that
seven sixty-fourths on an inch between November 1 and April 1, except
that school buses, mail carrier vehicles, and emergency vehicles shall
be permitted to use metal or metal-type studs at any time during the
year; (b) It shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires
having protuberances which will no injure the highway; and (c) It shall
be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any
vehicle when requires for safety because of snow, ice, or other
conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.
|
|
| Nevada |
NRS § 484.6425 (2004) §484.6425.
Use of certain studded tires prohibited. 1. Except as provided in
subsection 2, a person shall not operate any motor vehicle equipped
with tires which have on the periphery any block, flange, cleat, bead
or any other protuberance of metal or wood which projects beyond the
tread of traction surface of the tire. 2. This section does not
prohibit: (a) Tire chains or traction devices approved by the director.
(b) Pneumatic tires which have embedded therein wire not exceeding
0.075 inch in diameter and which are so constructed that under no
conditions will the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway
exceed 5 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway,
except that during the first 1,000 miles of use, the metal in contact
with the roadway may exceed 5 percent of the tire area in contact with
the roadway but must not exceed 20 percent of that area. (c) Pneumatic
tires containing metal-type studs of tungsten carbide or other suitable
material which are so inserted or constructed that under no conditions
will the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway exceed 3
percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway, but such
tires may only be used between October 1 and April 30. (d) The
operation of vehicles upon unimproved roadways when necessary in the
construction or repair of highways. (e) The operation of traction
engines or tractors under conditions of a permit first obtained from
the department of transportation with respect to highways under its
jurisdiction or the governing body of a city or county with respect to
roads under its jurisdiction.
NRS § 484.643 (2004) § 484.643. Traction devices, tire chains
or snow tires: Use required where highway marked or posted. 1. It is
unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle, whether it is an
emergency vehicle or otherwise, without traction devices, tire chains
or snow tires upon any street or highway, under icy or snowy
conditions, when the highway is marked or posted with signs for the
requirement of traction devices, chains, or snow tires. 2. The director
shall adopt regulations defining "traction device," "tire chain" and
"snow tire." The director shall consider regulations of the Federal
Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and publications of the Rubber Manufacturers
Association. The regulations must specify minimum standards for the
patterns of tread on snow tires which will provide adequate traction in
mud and snow.
NRS § 484.6432 (2004) § 484.6432. Traction devices, tire
chains or snow tires; Requirements under certain circumstances. 1. If a
highway is in this state and marked or posted with signs requiring the
use of traction devices, tire chains or snow tires, a motor vehicle or
combination of vehicles must be equipped with: (a) Traction devices,
tire chains or snow tires if it has a gross weight or combined gross
weight of 10,000 pounds or less. (b) Tire chains if it has a gross
weight or combined gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds. 2. If a
highway in this state is marked or posted with signs requiring the use
of traction devices or tire chains on all motor vehicles except
vehicles with 4-wheel drive and snow tires on all wheels, all such
motor vehicles must be equipped with traction devices or tire chains.
NRS § 484.6436 (2004) § 484.6436. Mechanical device to
provide traction if mechanical devices are mounted on both sides of a
motor vehicle which, when activated by the driver, provide traction by
deploying a chain of metal cross members under a tire while the vehicle
is in motion, the: 1. Cross members must extend across at least 85
percent of the width of the tire; and 2. Devices may be used only upon
the drive axles of the vehicle.
|
|
| New Hampshire |
|
|
| New Jersey |
N.J. Stat. § 39:3-73 (2004) §
39:3-73. Tire-chains Motor vehicle tires may be fitted with tire-chains
of reasonable proportions when roads, streets and highways are
slippery, because of rain, snow, ice, oil, manner of construction or
other reason; provided, however, that no tire-chains shall be used at
any time on improved highways when highway conditions do not make such
use necessary for the safety of life or property. No person shall use
any tire-chains so constructed or installed as to be likely to be
thrown so as to endanger any person or property. 30. N.J. Stat. §
39:3-73 (2004)
|
|
| New Mexico |
§ 66-3-847. Restrictions as to tire
equipment B. A person shall not operate or move on a highway a motor
vehicle, trailer or semitrailer having any metal tire in contact with
the roadway except that for the purposes of the Motor Vehicle Code
[66-1-1 NMSA 1978], a now tire with metal studs designed to increase
traction on ice or snow shall not be considered a metal tire. C. No
tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any
block, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberances of any
material other than rubber that projects beyond the tread of the
traction surface of the tire except that it shall be permissible to use
farm machinery with tires having protuberances that will not injure the
highway and except also that it shall be permissible to use tire chains
of reasonable proportions or snow tires with metal studs designed to
increase traction on ice or snow upon any vehicle when required for
safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a
vehicle to skid.
|
|
| New York |
|
|
| North Carolina |
§ 20-122. Restrictions as to tire
equipment (b) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its
periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other
protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond
the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be
permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances that
will not injure the highway and except also, that it shall be
permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions or snow tires
with metal studs designed to increase traction on ice or snow upon any
vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other
conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. It shall be
permissible to use upon any vehicle for increased safety, regular and
snow tires with studs which project beyond the tread of the traction
surface of the tire not more than one sixteenth of an inch when
compressed.
|
|
| North Dakota |
§ 39-21-40. Restrictions as to tire
equipment 13. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its
periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other
protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond
the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be
permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances that
will not injure the highway and except also, that it shall be
permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions. It is also
permissible to use, from October fifteenth to April fifteenth,
pneumatic tires which have metal studs which do not project more than
one-sixteenth of an inch [1.59 millimeters] beyond the tread of the
traction surface of the tire, except that it is permissible to use such
tires on school busses at any time during the year.
|
|
| Ohio |
ORC Ann. 5589.08 (2004) § 5589.08.
(a) For purposes of this section, "studded tire" means any tire
designed for use on a vehicle, and quipped with metal studs or studs of
wear-resisting material that project beyond the tread of the traction
surface of the tire; and "motor vehicle," "street or highway," "public
safety vehicle," and "school bus" have the same meaning as given those
terms in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code. (B) No person shall
operate any motor vehicle, other than a public safety vehicle or school
bus, that is equipped with studded tires on any street or highway in
this state, except during the period from the first day of November of
each year through the fifteenth day of April of the succeeding year.
(C) This section does not apply to the use of tire chains when there is
snow or ice on the streets or highways where such chains are being
used, or the immediate vicinity thereof.
|
|
| Oklahoma |
§ 12-405. Tires and wheels --
Peripheral equipment -- Unsafe operating condition. A. Every solid
rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction
surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the
entire periphery. B. A person shall not operate or move on any
hard-surfaced highway any vehicle having any metal tire in contact with
the roadway, except when authorized by special permit as provided in
subsection E of this section. C. 1. Any tire on a vehicle moved on a
highway shall not have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat
or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber
which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire,
except that it shall be permissible: b. to use tire chains of
reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety
because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to
skid, or c. for pneumatic tires equipped with or having on their
periphery studs of metal, porcelain or other material to be sold or
used in this state, if constructed to provide resiliency upon contact
with the road surface, so that not more than three percent (3%) in the
aggregate of the traction surface of such tire be composed of such
studs and so that such studs do not project more than three
thirty-seconds (3/32) of an inch beyond the tread of the traction
surface of such tire and have a rate of wear which will so limit such
projection. 2. The exceptions permitted in paragraph 1 of this
subsection shall be subject to the following restrictions: a. the use
of such tires or tire chains shall be limited to vehicles with rated
capacities up to and including two (2) tons, b. any tire so equipped
shall not be used on a public highway earlier than November 1 of each
year or later than April 1 of the following year, and c. copies of this
subsection shall be posted in all places at which tires or tire chains
are sold, and a printed or written warning on the time limitation for
the use of such tires or tire chains shall be furnished to each buyer,
purchaser, or user by the seller of such studded tires or tire chains.
D. Operator selectable "on demand" studded tires having
traction-enhancing studs located outside the normal tread area which
allows their operation as conventional tires on dry roads or as studded
tires on ice-coated roads by the expedient of reducing or increasing
the air pressure within tires, shall be exempt from the prohibitions of
subsection C of this section with the following exceptions: 1. The use
of such tires shall be limited to vehicles with rated capacities up to
and including two (2) tons; 2. Any such tire shall not be deflated so
that the studs lower and make contact with the road surface earlier
than November 1 of each year or later than April 1 of the following
year.
|
|
| Oregon |
ORS § 815.045 (2003) 815.045. Rules
for the use of traction tires and chains; signs. (1) The Oregon
Transportation Commission shall adopt rules necessary to carry out ORS
815.140. The rules adopted by the commission: (b) Shall define types of
vehicle traction tires or chains that may be used under various road
conditions. The commission rules under this paragraph shall comply with
the following: (D) Chains shall be defined to include link chains,
cable chains or any other device that attaches to the wheel, vehicle or
outside of the tire and that augments the traction of a vehicle.
|
|
| Pennsylvania |
75 Pa. C.S. § 4525 (2004)§ 4525.
Tire equipment and traction surfaces (c) ICE GRIPS AND TIRE STUDS. --
Tires in which ice grips or tire studs of wear resisting material have
been installed which provide resiliency upon contact with the road and
which have projections not exceeding two thirty-seconds of an inch
beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire shall be permitted
between November 1 of each year and April 16 of the following year. The
Governor may by executive order extend the time tires with ice grips or
tire studs may be used when highway condition are such that such tires
would be a safety factor in traveling Commonwealth highways. The use of
tires with ice grips or tire studs contrary to the provisions of this
subsection shall be unlawful. (d) TIRE CHAINS -- Tire chains may be
temporarily used on vehicles during periods of snow and ice emergency
if the are in conformance with regulations promulgated by the
department.
|
|
| Rhode Island |
§31-23-20. Protuberances on tires. No
tires on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any
block, flange, cleat, or pointed spike or other protuberance of any
material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the
traction surface of the tire except that: (1) It shall be permissible
to use tires with flat-headed studs projecting one-sixteenth inch
(1/16") or less beyond the tread of the traction surface from the
fifteenth day of November to the first day of April; (2) It shall be
permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which
will not injure the highway; and (3) It shall be permissible to use
tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required
for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a
vehicle to skid. (4) Violations of this section are subject to fines
enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
|
|
| South Carolina |
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5040 (2003)
§ 56-5-5040. Tires. No person shall operate or move on any highway
any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer having any metal tire in
contact with the roadway. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall
have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any
other protuberance of any material other than rubber (or other
resilient material) which projects beyond the tread of the traction
surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use farm
machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the
highway and except also that it shall be permissible to use tire chains
of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety,
because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to
skid. It shall also be permissible to use upon any vehicle for
increased safety, regular and snow tires with studs which projects
beyond the read of the traction surface of the tire not more than one
sixteenth on an inch when compressed.
|
|
| South Dakota |
S.D. Codified Laws § 32-19-2 (2003)
§ 32-19-2. Cleated or spiked rolling surfaces prohibited -- Farm
machinery excepted -- Tire chains excepted -- Violation as petty
offense. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway may have on its
periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike, or any other
protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects beyond
the tread of the traction surface of the tire except that it shall be
permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which
will not injure the highway and except also that it shall be
permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which
will not injure the highway and except also that it shall be
permissible to use tire chains for reasonable proportions upon any
vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other
conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. A violation of
this law is a petty offense.
S.D. Codified Laws § 32-19-3.1 (2003) § 32-19-3.1. Vehicles
restricted on state trunk highways during inclement weather --
Violation as misdemeanor notwithstanding § 32-19-2, the secretary
of transportation may restrict public travel upon any state trunk
highway system to four-wheel drive vehicles or motor vehicles equipped
with tire chains, studded snow tires or snow tires having a tread of
sufficient abrasive or skid-resistant design or composition and depth
to provide adequate traction on icy or snow-packed roads.
|
|
| Tennessee |
55-9-106. Studded tires (a) No person
shall use a tire on a vehicle moved on a highway which has on its
periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other
protuberances of a material other than rubber which project beyond the
tread of the traction surface of the tire, except as otherwise provided
in this section. (b) A person may operate on a highway a vehicle
equipped with a tire which has imbedded in it wire or other material
for improving traction on snow and ice during the period of October 1
through April 15 of each year. Such a tire shall be so constructed that
the percentage of wire or other material in contact with the roadway
does not exceed, after the first one thousand (1,000) miles of use or
operation of any such tire, the wire or other material in contact with
the roadway shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total tire
area in contact with the roadway. The studded tires allowed by this
subsection (b) shall not be used at any time on a vehicle with a
maximum gross weight of more than none thousand pounds (9,000 lbs.) ,
unless such a vehicle is a school bus or an emergency vehicle. (c) It
is permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions on any
vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other
condition tending to cause a vehicle to skid.
|
|
| Texas |
Tex. Transp. Code § 547.612 (2004)
§ 547.612. (c) A tire used on a moving vehicle may not have on its
periphery a block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or other protuberance
of a material other than rubber that projects beyond the tread of the
traction surface, unless the protuberance: (1) does no injure the
highway; or (2) is a tire chain of reasonable proportion that is used
as required for safety because of a condition that might cause the
vehicle to skid.
|
|
| Utah |
Utah Code Ann. § 41-6-150 (2004)
§ 41-6-150. Tires which are prohibited -- Regulatory powers of the
state transportation department -- Winter use of studs -- Special
permits -- Tread depth (c) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway
shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or
any other protuberances of any material other than rubber which project
beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire except as
otherwise provided in this section. The state department of
transportation may by regulation permit the use of tires on a vehicle
having protuberances other than rubber when it concludes that they will
not damage the highway significantly, or constitute a hazard to life,
health or property. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this section or in any such regulation, it is permissible to use on
a vehicle tires with protuberances consisting of tungsten carbide studs
during the periods of October fifteenth through December thirty-first
and January first through March thirty-first of each year if the
tungsten carbide studs shall not project beyond the tread of the
traction surface of the tire more than 0.050 inches; but tires bearing
these tungsten carbide studs shall not be used at any time on a vehicle
with a maximum gross weight in excess of 9,000 pounds unless the
vehicle is an emergency vehicle or school bus, an emergency vehicle or
scholl bus being allowed to use tires bearing these studs during these
periods. It shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires
having protuberances which will not injure the highway, and also it
shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon
any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other
conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.
|
|
| Vermont |
|
|
| Virginia |
Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-1044 (2004)
§ 46.2-1044. Cleats, etc., on tires; chains; tires with studs. No
tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any
block, stud, flange, cleat, spike, or any other protuberance of any
material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the
traction surface of the tire. It shall be permissible, however, to use
on the highways farm machinery having protuberances which will not
injure the highway and to use tire chains of reasonable proportions
when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions
tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. It shall also be
permissible to use on any vehicle whose gross weight does not exceed
10,000 pounds tires with studs which project no more than on-sixteenth
of an inch beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire when
compressed if the studs cover no more than three percent of the
traction surface of the tire. The use of studded tires shall be
permissible only from October 15 to April 15.
Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-1045 (2004) § 46.2-1045. Sale of tires
having cleats, etc., prohibited; studded tires excepted. No person
shall sell to any resident of the Commonwealth a tire which shall have
on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, spike, or any other
protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond
the tread of the traction surface of the tire. It shall also be
permissible to sell studded tires whose use is permitted under
provisions of this article. Violation of this section shall constitute
a Class 1 misdemeanor.
|
|
| Washington |
Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 47.36.250. Dangerous road
conditions requiring special tires, chains, or traction equipment --
Signs or devices -- Penalty. (Effective July 1, 2004.) (1) If the
department or its delegate determines at any time for any part of the
public highway system that the unsafe conditions of the roadway require
particular tires, tire chains, or traction equipment in addition to or
beyond the ordinary pneumatic rubber tires, the department may
establish the following recommendations or requirement with respect to
the use of such equipment for all persons using such public highway:
(a) Traction advisory -- oversize vehicles prohibited. (b) Traction
advisory -- oversize vehicles prohibited. Vehicles over 10,000 GVW --
chains required. (ac) Traction advisory -- oversize vehicles
prohibited. All vehicles -- chains required, except all wheel drive.
(2) Any equipment that may be required by this section shall be
approved by the state patrol as authorized under RCW 46.37.420. (3) The
department shall place and maintain signs and other traffic control
devices on the public highways that indicate tire, tire chain, or
traction equipment recommendation or requirement determined under this
section. Such signs shall in no event prohibit the use of studded tires
from November 1st to April 1st, but when the department determines that
chains are required and that no other traction equipment will suffice,
the requirement is applicable to all types of tires including studded
tires. The Washington state patrol or the department may specify
different recommendation or requirements for four wheel drive vehicles
in gear. (4) Failure to obey the requirement indicated under this
section is a traffic infraction under chapter 46.63 RCW subject to a
penalty of five hundred dollars including all statutory assessments.
WAC 204-24-040 Traction devices. The
following equipment items are approved by the state patrol for use as
traction devices wherever traction devices are required by the
department of transportation:
(1) Tire chains meeting the standards in chapter 204-22 WAC.
Chapter 204-22 WAC
STANDARDS FOR TIRE CHAINS (Last update: 07/29/82)
WAC 204-22-010 Promulgation. By
authority of RCW 46.37.005 and 46.37.420, the state commission on
equipment hereby adopts the following standards for tire chains.
WAC 204-22-020 Scope. These standards shall apply to tire chains designed for and used upon a public roadway.
WAC 204-22-030 Link tire chains. (1)
Link type tire chains consist of at least two chain loops, one on each
side of the tire, connected by evenly-spaced metal cross chains across
the tire tread.
(2) The National Association of Chain Manufacturers Tire
Chain Specifications NACM-5179(TC) is hereby adopted by reference as
the standard for link type tire chains.
WAC 204-22-040 Cable tire chains. This
specification covers ladder-type cable tire chain assemblies designed
for use on tires that have been manufactured in accordance with the
standards of the Tire & Rim Association, Inc., 3200 West Market
Street; Akron, Ohio 44313. All cable tire chains shall be designed for
use on tires mounted in accordance with specifications in SAE
Recommended Practice J1232, Class S, and SAE Informational Report
J683a. Oversized tires, snow tires, special service, or special
traction tires, etc., may require chains of a larger size.
(1) Classifications. Cable tire chains
described in this specification shall be of the following types as
specified for regular and restricted clearances:
(a) Passenger car
(b) Single light truck
(c) Heavy truck
(d) Special police and emergency vehicle
(2) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) Cable laid rope. A compound laid rope consisting of several ropes or several layers of strands laid together into one rope.
(b) Side cable. Stranded cable to complete one full circumference along the tire sidewall.
(c) Fastener. Any suitable connecting device, secured to one end of a
side cable so constructed that it can connect to the opposing end and
be easily closed (engaged or fastened) and be readily opened (released)
by hand.
(d) Reinforced cross cables. Stranded cable wrapped or covered to
provide increased resistance to abrasive wear. This covering may be
either a hard drawn spring wire, a high-carbon steel wire or nylon type
6 or 12. The wrapped or covered cable shall be enclosed by traction
reinforcement sleeves covering said cable essentially from side
connector to side connector. Cross cable shall be of specified length
and shall provide proper drape over the tire tread.
(e) Cross cable fastener. Any suitable fastener used to attach each
cross cable to the side cable. Fastener shall be constructed and
assembled to prevent accidental detachment.
(f) Cross cable traction reinforcement sleeves. Shall be constructed of
the manufacturer's specified material and of suitable length and width
to maximize traction, braking, cornering and longevity.
(3) Requirements.
(a) Components. Cable tire chain assemblies shall consist of two side
cables, or two outer and one inner side cable with reinforced cross
cables, cross cable fastener, and fasteners necessary to form a
complete assembly.
(b) Material.
(i)Stranded side and stranded cross cable wire shall be constructed of
preformed galvanized high-carbon steel with a minimum of 450 pound
breaking strength with seven wires per strand and seven strands per
cable. The lay shall be a right hand lay.
(ii) Wire covering stranded cable shall be constructed of high-carbon
plow steel wire with a minimum tensile strength of 230,000 pounds per
square inch.
(iii)Spring wire covering stranded cable shall be constructed of hard
drawn spring wire with a minimum tensile strength of 200,000 pounds per
square inch.
(iv)Cables, spring, and plow wire must be manufactured in conformance to SAE Recommended Practice J113.
(v) Cross cable fasteners shall be constructed of open hearth, electric furnace,
or basic oxygen process steel.
(vi) Metallic cross cable traction reinforcement sleeves shall be
constructed of open hearth, electric furnace, or basic oxygen process
steel and shall comply with the following American Society for Testing
Materials (ASTM) standards: Standard E6 - Bend Test, Standard E8 -
Tension Test, Standard E18 - Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness, and
Standard A568 - Table of Chemical Content of Steel.
(vii) Nonmetallic cross cable traction reinforcement sleeves shall be constructed of "Zytel" ST-801 nylon or its equivalent.
(viii) All side cable fasteners are to be constructed of material that will allow easy installation and removal.
(c) Spacing of cross cable. The first cross cable shall be attached to
that point of each side cable nearest the fastener that will permit the
fastener to lie in the proper plane when the assembled cable tire chain
is applied to the tire. On single cable tire chains, the remainder of
the cross cables shall be attached to the side cable at intervals
designed to provide for at least one cross cable in contact with the
roadway at all times. On dual-triple tire chains, the remainder of the
cross cable shall be attached to the outer side cables at like
intervals and to the inner side chain with opposing cross cables
staggered at the same intervals.
(d) Tolerances
(i) Cross cable length. The inside length of all cross cable, including
fasteners held in the same plane, shall be within a tolerance of minus
1/8 inch to plus 1/8 inch of the specified length indicated by the
chain manufacturer's specifications. The length shall be measured by
hanging the cross cable vertically on a horizontal pin and measuring
the inside to inside length. The number of traction reinforcement
sleeves in a cross cable may not vary from the number specified by the
manufacturer.
(ii) Side cable length. The length of all side cables shall be within
tolerance of minus 1/8 inch to plus 1/2 inch of the length indicated by
the chain manufacturer's specifications.
(iii) Stranded cable size. Stranded cable size shall be subject to the following tolerances:
(A) Material up to and including .094 inch (2.4 mm) diameter shall not
be less than the designated diameter and shall not exceed .010 inch
(.25 mm) over the specified diameter.
(B) Material over .094 inch (2.4 mm) diameter shall not be less than
the specified diameter and shall not exceed .014 inch (.36 mm) over the
specified diameter.
(e) Component dimensions. The dimensions of manufactured components may
vary, but the assembled cable chains must meet the tolerances specified
in items (d)(i), (ii) and (iii).
(f) Finish. All cable tire chains shall have a rust-resistant finish for protection in transit and storage.
(g) Identification. Each half set of cable tire chains shall be
permanently marked with the manufacturing company's name, initials or
trademark in order that it may be easily identified when not in the
original container.
WAC 204-22-050 Other tire chain devices. From time to time, new technology or materials allow the invention or
manufacture of devices having the same effect on a tire as tire chains but
different in concept or design. Standards for such other tire chain devices
shall be set by the commission upon petition by a party for approval of the
device.
|
GoClaws are Approved for use in Washington
CLICK HERE |
| West Virginia |
W. Va. Code § 17C-15-37 (2003) §
17C-15-37. Tire equipment restrictions; rules and regulations as to
certain tires (a) Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have
rubber on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the
edge of the flange of the entire periphery. (c) No tire on a vehicle
moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange,
cleat or spike of any other protuberance of any material other than
rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the
tire, except that, (2) it shall be permissible to use tire chains of
reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety
because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to
skid, and (3) it shall be permissible to use studded tires during the
period from November first of each year until April fifteenth of the
following year; Provided, That in the interest of highway maintenance,
no vehicle moved on a highway, other than school buses, shall be
equipped with studded tires which are operational with a recommended
air pressure greater than forty pounds per square inch. (d) No studded
tires or chains shall be sold or used within the State of West Virginia
which do not meet the specifications established by the rules and
regulations which the commissioner of highways shall promulgate, but
the commissioner may not by those rules and regulations prohibit the
use of studded tires or chains within the State. (e)The commissioner of
highways and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may in
their discretion issue special permits authorizing the operation upon
the highway of traction engines or tractors having movable tracks with
transverse corrugations upon the periphery of such movable tracks or
farm tractors or other farm machinery, the operation of which upon a
highway would otherwise be prohibited under this chapter.
|
|
| Wisconsin |
Wis. Stat. § 347.45 (2003) 347.45.
Tire equipment. (1) All automobiles, motor trucks, motor buses, truck
tractors, trailers, semitrailers and mobile homes when operated upon a
highway shall be completely equipped with tires inflated with
compressed air and all other motor vehicles when operated on a highway
shall be equipped with tires of rubber or of some material or
construction of equal resiliency. No person may operate on a highway
any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or mobile home having any metal
tire in contact with the roadway, except that tire chains of reasonable
proportions may be used when required for safety because of snow, ice
or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid, and except as
provided in sub. (2)(c)(2) No person shall operate on a highway any
vehicle, including farm tractors, self-propelled farm implements,
implements of husbandry, animal drawn vehicles and road machinery, if
such vehicle has on the periphery of any of its tires any block, stud,
flange, cleat, spike or other protuberance of any material other that
rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the
tire, except that: (b) Tire chains of reasonable proportions may be
used on any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or
other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. (c) A pneumatic
tire may have embedded in it wire or wire coils for improving traction
on ice and snow, but such tire shall be so constructed that the per
cent of wire or wire coils in contact with the roadway does not exceed,
after the first 1,000 miles of use or operation, 5% of the total tire
area in contact with the roadway. During the first 1,000 miles of use
or operation of any such tire the wire or wire coils in contact with
the roadway shall not exceed 20% of the total tire area in contact with
the roadway. Tires equipped with tungsten carbide studs shall be
limited in usage and design as follows: 1. The department shall, by
rule, designate the times of year during which any type of tire
described in this paragraph may be used. 2. Such tires may be used only
on authorized emergency vehicles, school buses, vehicles used to
deliver mail and automobiles with out-of-state registrations and then
only if such automobile is in the course of passing through this state
for a period of not more than 30 days. 3. Such studs shall not project
more than one-eighth inch beyond the tread surface of the tire or
recutting is an acceptable and safe practice, nor does this subsection
apply to regrooving or recutting done in a tire recapping process.
|
|
| Wyoming |
Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-956 (2003) §
31-5-956. Tires; restriction of travel under hazardous conditions (a)
Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire
traction surface at least one (1) inch thick above the edge of the
flange of the entire periphery. (b) No person shall operate or move on
any highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer having any metal
tire in contact with the roadway. (c) No tire on a vehicle moved on a
highway shall have on its periphery any protuberance of any material
other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction
surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use (ii)
Tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required
for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a
vehicle to skid; (iii) Pneumatic tires having studs designed to improve
traction without materially injuring the surface of the highway.
Pneumatic tires having studs must be approved by the superintendent.
(d) The superintendent and local authorities in their respective
jurisdictions may issue special permits authorizing the operation upon
a highway of tractors having movable tracks with transverse
corrugations upon the periphery of the movable tracks or farm tractors
or other farm machinery, the operation of which upon a highway would
otherwise be prohibited under this section. (e) Travel on a highway may
be restricted to all wheel drive vehicles equipped with tire chains or
adequate snow tires when the superintendent or his authorized
representative determines that travel is sufficiently hazardous due to
snow, ice or other conditions.
|
|
|
