COLORADO SPRINGS — The snow and icy streets on Thursday caused dozens of accidents from Pueblo through Denver. The first snowfall has many officials reminding drivers to pay attention to the state's new traction laws.
The new traction laws went into effect on September 1, but those with the Colorado Department of Transportation said people do not seem prepared for winter, even though Interstate 70 was placed under the new traction laws on Thursday. The laws were not put into effect on I-25 on Thursday.
Those laws do not just apply to I-70, but to any road that CDOT can deem a mountainous area. Interstate 25 does fall into that category. The new laws surround tire tread, according to those with CDOT. "If you have a 4-wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle, and your tires have at least 3/16 of an inch tread depth, then you're prepared... However, if you don't have 4-wheel drive or all wheel drive, you need to make sure you have mud or snow designated tires, or chains or an autosock in your car," said Michelle Peulen, the communications manager for CDOT in the southeastern portion of the state.
To learn more about the new laws, visit this link. Also, to check the status of roads before you go, COtrip is a helpful resource.
