It’s Colorado Tire Check Week. Make sure you have good tires. In fact, you have to because of the state’s Passenger Vehicle Traction Law. That means 4WD or All Wheel Drive, winter tires, and tires that are 3/16” tread depth. A way to measure that is using the tip of your phone charger, as it is 3/16″. The law is implemented during severe winter storms. CDOT says in a recent survey, 83% of in-state residents are compliant.
Here’s more from the Colorado Department of Transportation today.
Tire safety checks underway as Colorado Tire Check Week continues
CDOT, sponsors held tire check event on Sunday
STATEWIDE — Bald tires beware: Colorado Tire Check Week is underway. The Colorado Department of Transportation hosted a tire check event at the Wooly Mammoth Lot in Golden on Sunday, March 13, where mountain travelers received complimentary tire checks at the popular carpool lot before their trek through the high country. AutoSock and Red Bull accompanied CDOT to support the effort.
The State of Colorado and Gov. Jared Polis have officially proclaimed the week of March 12-19 Colorado Tire Check Week to support the effort. See the proclamation here: bit.ly/3q6R8vt.
CDOT continues its safety and awareness efforts by partnering with tire partners across the state for the inaugural Colorado Tire Check Week to provide courtesy tire checks. The free tire checks aim to help motorists ensure their vehicles meet the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law standards during what is historically Colorado’s snowiest month.
During Colorado Tire Check Week, drivers can take their cars to any participating tire shops, where they will receive a free tire check to ensure their vehicles comply with Colorado’s Passenger Vehicle Traction Law. To view participating tire partners, visit codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tires.
In a recent survey, only 64% of Coloradans were aware of the state’s Passenger Vehicle Traction Law, with 83% of in-state residents compliant. Compared to 2020 survey results, Traction Law non-compliance grew by 10%, with roughly 75% of non-compliant vehicles driven by Colorado residents. Data shows that on average, more than 10,000 crashes occur every year during snowy and icy road conditions in Colorado. To view an infographic with the survey results, visit bit.ly/365sNzh.
For more information about the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law requirements, visit codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw.
ABOUT WINTER WISE
CDOT’s Winter Wise campaign focuses on education, tools and resources to help keep drivers safe on Colorado’s winter roads. To learn more and view helpful tips for winter driving, visit winter.codot.gov. For specific information about I-70 and other highway travel conditions, motorists can call 511 or check COtrip.org. Additionally, drivers can check Twitter for up-to-date travel information via @ColoradoDOT. For more detailed information about the Traction and Passenger Vehicle Safety Laws, snowplow laws, safety stats and frequently asked questions, visit winter.codot.gov.
ABOUT CDOT
CDOT’s Whole System-Whole Safety program has one simple mission — to get everyone home safely. Our approximately 3,000 employees work tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. The department manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,000 bridges and 35 mountain passes. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also operates Bustang, the state-owned interregional express bus service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.