I wonder if it is more a lack of proper equipment or there failure to pull over and put chains on when conditions warrant it?

We helped get a capable SUV with summer tires on out of the ditch just a couple of weeks ago. They said they had chains, but even after we got them out they didn't install them.

For people who don't have them, think it would help if there were convenient shops where you could rent them and a sign to "turn of here" if you don't have them? I know that has its own complications since so many vehicles are restricted to cables or socks.

Yeah. Not sure of the best way either. But the feds have our info. Should be a simple and anonymous query states should be able to do and bam they assign the ticket.

Because then the extra daylight is meaningless since you will also have to work later.

Exactly. And those same kids will also want the daylight hours after work when they get older.

I could get on board with a more progressive ticketing system. Though I cringe at the idea of putting my full tax returns in more hands than necessary. Maybe some sort of IRS verification. Probably a lot of hoops to jump through on that one though 😅

Two stories told by friends were of slight spinouts , one at the top of the pass, the other on the downhill side. When they called for help the police arrived quickly and they were ticketed. Don't know about the others. I've never seen any law enforcement car on any pass. Just went over two different ones about 10 days ago. Both were snowpacked, I didn't chain up, but had no problems.

The thing is the world is not flat. If the sun is straight up in one zone it is 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 pm in another.

That is nice to know. How do they enforce it? Do they stop everyone and check their vehicles? Or is it just if they happen to be doing a stop for another reason?

I think the government “should play baby sitter” because the passes being closed has a large impact on the local communities, people that rely on it as their commute, and also transportation of goods. And most importantly, the person causing accidents because they thought their AWD with summer tires and no chains was good enough, is putting the lives of everyone else on the road at risk by driving with an unprepared vehicle. It’s not so simple.

Perhaps a fine isn’t the solution. But traction tires, chains, etc being required when conditions justify it, is absolutely necessary.

At the Oregon passes like Santiam, when ODOT's sign says "Carry Chains" they mean it. Even if you are not required to chain up, you will be fined $888 for not having chains in your vehicle in case you need them. I've heard numerous people express regret after paying that hefty fine.

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Oh hey Fort Warden! Cool photo.

Beautiful but going to be cold tonight. Burrrrrr

Please tell me y'all pronounce this as "Muh-zah-maw" and not "Muh-zam-uh."

You might be on to something!

I think if it is still within the 3 days allowed on the permit, they will let it slide

You should probably call Washington State Patrol or Washington Dept of Motor Vehicles to be sure you get the correct answer, because it could be a very expensive mistake.

The snow was pretty dry at our house, so I imagine it might be better than usual.

We have 5”-6”.

So don’t care about this, it’s become routine. I like it.

Port Angeles.

Oh shit.. I'm talking about Pennsylvania. Whats your version of PA over there? Sorry I'm not familiar with Washington, just a fan. Haha

The state does, but I don’t know about PA. Then on top of that PA only has a a few plow drivers right now.

Do they not salt the roads as much there? Or the drivers are particularly not great in the snow?

We get snow like this at least once a year.