R920-6. Traction Device/Tire Chain Requirements, R920. Transportation, Operations, Traffic and Safety, Utah Administrative Code

Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019)

R920. Transportation, Operations, Traffic and Safety

R920-6. Traction Device/Tire Chain Requirements

R920-6-1. Purpose

Latest version.

The purpose of this rule is to establish the conditions under which the Utah Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies will require traction devices to traverse highway segments impacted by winter weather. The use of traction devices when conditions warrant increases the likelihood that drivers safely traverse the road and reduces the likelihood that drivers create a hazard or hamper road maintenance.

R920-6-2. Authority

Latest version.

The Department promulgates this rule pursuant to Utah Transportation Code sections 72-1-201, 72-3-102, 72-6-114, and 72-4-101 through 72-4-137; and Utah Motor Vehicle Act sections 41-6a-302 and 41-6a-1636.

R920-6-3. Definitions

Latest version.

As used in this rule:

(1) "UDOT" means the Utah Department of Transportation

(2) "UHP" means Utah Highway Patrol

(3) "Traction Devices" are devices that improve traction of tires on icy or snowy road by placing high friction objects between the tires and the road. Examples include tire chains, sand distribution devices, tire studs and other devices similar in function.

(4) "Traction Device Equipped" describes a vehicle equipped as follows:

(a) Any size vehicle with traction devices on all drive tires. An exception is allowed in the case of dual tires, where traction devices are required for at least one of the two tires in the dual mounting.

(b) As an alternative to R920-6-3(4)(a), a vehicle less than 12000 GVW equipped with Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) snow tires on all wheels will be considered traction device equipped.

(5) "Four wheel drive" for the purposes of this rule consists of four-wheel and all-wheel drive autos and light trucks with mounted M+S (all-season) or 3 peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) snow tires on all wheels.

(6) "Class I Traction Segment" is a defined part of a highway where UDOT, UHP or designated local law enforcement may require vehicles over 12,000 GVW to provide traction devices.

(7) "Class II Traction Segment" is a defined part of a highway where UDOT, UHP or designated local law enforcement may require traction devices or four-wheel-drive for all vehicles. Class II traction segments may also be operated as a Class I when conditions warrant.

R920-6-4. Provisions

Latest version.

(1) At the request of one of UDOT's Region Directors or their designee, UDOT's Traffic and Safety Division will issue a Traffic Engineering Order (TEO) that establishes each designated traffic segment and identifies its class.

(2) UDOT's Division of Traffic and Safety will maintain and publish a list of designated traction segments and their class on UDOT's website. UDOT will communicate any changes to the list to:

(a) UDOT Region offices,

(b) UHP,

(d) local law enforcement agencies.

(3) When road surface conditions warrant, as determined by UDOT, UHP or designated local law enforcement agency, no vehicle will be allowed or permitted the use of the highway unless:

(a) For Class I Traction Segments, vehicles over 12,000 GVW shall be traction device equipped, and

(b) for Class II Traction Segments, all vehicles shall be traction device equipped or four-wheel drive as defined in this rule.

(4) Travelers are notified when traction devices are required via road signs and UDOT's traveler information systems.

R920-6-5. Responsibilities

Latest version.

(1) The decision to require traction devices is made by UDOT, UHP or a designated local law enforcement agency. The agency deciding to require traction devices notifies the other agencies involved.

(2) UHP and/or a designated local law enforcement agency enforces the traction device requirements.

(3) UDOT communicates traction device requirements to the public.

(4) Personnel authorized to enforce this rule may permit vehicles that do not meet traction device requirements to travel a traction segment of the highway if authorized person believes they may do so without endangering public safety, creating a hazard, or interfering with highway maintenance operations.

(5) UDOT notifies relevant public agencies when traction segment designations change.

(6) All authority shall rest with the Executive Director of UDOT or his designee to control use of highways where avalanche danger and other threats to the public safety are concerned.

(7) The UDOT Region Director or their designee work with UHP and/or local law enforcement agencies in establishing working criteria for enforcement of this rule.