Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has released the results of its latest chain law enforcement operation on the I-70 mountain corridor, providing insight into compliance among both passenger and commercial vehicles. The operation, conducted on March 20, involved multiple law enforcement agencies working together to ensure roadway safety.
Coordinated Effort to Enforce Safety Regulations
CSP collaborated with the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Parachute Police Department, and Silt Police Department to monitor compliance with Colorado’s chain and traction laws. The operation focused on checking whether drivers were adhering to the regulations meant to keep roadways safe during winter conditions.
Officers conducted stops on a range of vehicles, from standard passenger cars to large commercial trucks. With unpredictable weather along the I-70 corridor, ensuring proper tire traction and chain use is crucial for preventing accidents and traffic disruptions.
Breakdown of the Enforcement Operation
Authorities provided detailed statistics on the number of stops and citations issued during the enforcement initiative. The breakdown of results is as follows:
Passenger Vehicles:
- 45 total passenger vehicle contacts
- 7 speeding citations issued
- 20 citations for various violations
Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV):
- 133 total CMV contacts
- 10 citations issued for failure to carry chains
- 10 additional citations for other infractions
The operation highlighted the ongoing need for strict adherence to traction and chain laws, particularly among commercial drivers who are required to carry chains between September 1 and May 31 each year.
Understanding Colorado’s Chain and Traction Laws
Colorado’s traction law mandates that passenger vehicles have tires with at least a 3/16-inch tread depth. These tires must be rated as either ‘all-weather’ or ‘mud-and-snow’ to ensure adequate grip on icy and snowy roads.
For commercial drivers, carrying chains is a legal requirement during the designated months. This rule aims to reduce road closures and accidents caused by vehicles losing traction in severe weather.
What’s Next?
Officials have announced another multi-agency enforcement operation scheduled for March 26. This effort will continue CSP’s focus on promoting road safety and ensuring that drivers comply with the state’s traction and chain laws.
With unpredictable conditions along I-70, authorities emphasize the importance of preparation. Whether it’s passenger vehicles ensuring proper tire tread or commercial drivers keeping chains on hand, compliance remains a key factor in reducing weather-related incidents.
