The evening air is crisp, and twilight falls a bit earlier each day. Leaves are tinged with color. Our thoughts turn to fall color tours, waxing skis to be ready for that first powder day, picking pumpkins and apples and the looming holiday gatherings.
And your winter driving checklist.
What? You hadn’t thought of that yet? Well, it’s time because a little prep before winter gets serious goes a long way toward ensuring you get to and from all those fun things safely.
“In Colorado, it can be a longer winter,” said Trooper Gabriel Moltrer, a spokesman for the Colorado State Patrol. “We can have snow from October to April, and the weather can change pretty quickly. You should be ready for blizzard conditions, snow and ice.”
Tires should be at the top of that checklist for a couple reasons: the right tires will help keep you on the road and the wrong tires can earn you a hefty fine.
Colorado has long required trucks, buses and other large vehicles to carry – and when necessary use – chains. The traction laws have been updated and enforcement enhanced in recent years because of an increasing number of road closures caused by vehicles – trucks and cars – with insufficient traction. So, the so-called chain laws are no longer just for truckers.
The Colorado Department of Transportation can implement the passenger vehicle traction law on any state highway at any time, so drivers need to be ready. When snow and ice storms trigger traction laws, drivers are required to have one of the following:
- 4-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive and 3/16” tread depth
- Tires with a mud and snow designation (M+S icon) and 3/16” tread depth
- Winter tires (mountain-snowflake icon) and 3/16” tread depth
- Tires with an all-weather rating by the manufacturer and 3/16” tread depth
- Chains or an approved alternative traction device
Violators face a $50 fine plus a $17 surcharge. From Sept. 1 to May 1, those traveling on Interstate 70 from Dotsero to Morrison, face a doubled fine. And if you cause one or more traffic lanes to be blocked on I-70 for failing to comply with the traction law, it’s a $500 fine and $156 surcharge.
Sudden road closures are a real thing, too. Sometimes caused by pileups and slide offs on slippery roads, sometimes by rapidly deteriorating conditions.
“We can close roads if there’s a sudden change and we need to make them safe to travel,” Moltrer said. “It depends on the amount of accumulation and the amount of traffic.”
That’s why, he said, it’s important to know your route and where there are stops and gas stations so you can avoid being stranded in the middle of nowhere. Even if your tank isn’t empty, it’s best to keep it at least half full when driving in winter conditions.
Tales of hours-long traffic jams, especially on I-70, are not a myth. Even if you can get to an exit, the resort towns are also flooded with cars seeking refuge. That’s why a winter survival bag is essential. Here’s a list of the most suggested items:
- Snow shovel, broom and ice scraper;
- Sand or kitty litter in case you get stuck in the snow;
- Jumper cables;
- Warning devices such as flares, and warning markers for your vehicle so you don’t get hit by a plow or another vehicle in whiteout conditions;
- Flashlight;
- First aid kit;
- Blankets or sleeping bag;
- Cell phone and charger, and
- Water, food and medicine
While you’re getting ready for winter driving, don’t forget about the hazards of fall.
Wildlife, especially deer, are more active in the fall months as many move from the high country to lower elevations. Mating season for deer is October and November, too.
They are most active from dusk to dawn – and drivers are more likely to be out during those hours because there are fewer daylight hours. Many people are driving to and from work or school in darkness.
While you can encounter wildlife on any road in Colorado, here’s a list from Colorado Parks and Wildlife about some of the most high-risk roadways:
- Interstate 70 (Floyd Hill, Mount Vernon Canyon and Eagle);
- U.S. 285 (Morrison);
- Highway 160 (Pagosa Springs to Durango and Durango to Mancos);
- Highway 550 (north of Durango and Montrose to Ouray);
- Interstate 25 (Castle Rock to Larkspur);
- Highway 82 (Glenwood Springs to Aspen);
- Highway 36 (Boulder to Lyons), and
- Highway 93 (Golden to Boulder).
The best way to deal with all the hazards of fall and winter? Stay alert to conditions and slow down.
Want more tips for winter driving and preparation? There are plenty of websites out there. Here are a few:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s winter driving tips: https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips
- AAA winter driving tips: https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#:~:text=Keep%20a%20bundle%20of%20cold,as%20on%20ice%20and%20snow.
- Colorado Department of Transportation traction law information: https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw
Researched and written by Sue McMillin