Deadline approaching to remove studded tires

OLYMPIA — With the arrival of Spring, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that Friday, March 31, is the deadline to remove studded tires from cars and trucks, according to a WSDOT press release.

Drivers who do not replace their studded tires face a potential maximum fine of $137, the press release noted. The Washington State Patrol will begin enforcing the deadline on April 1, and there are no out-of-state waivers or individual exceptions.

Studded tires are legal in the state of Washington from Nov. 1 to March 31, the press release said.

“Studded tires cause between $20 million to $29 million in damage to state-owned roads in Washington each winter and also damage city and county roads,” said WSDOT Maintenance Operations Manager Jams Morin in the press release. “We urge motorists to explore all their traction options, including non-stud, winter-tread tires which are different from all-season tires.”

“These are legal year-round and don’t damage our highways,” Morin added.

State law gives WSDOT the ability to extend the deadline for the removal of studded tires in the event that weather forecasters predict significant snow and ice at lower elevations after April 1, the press release said. While spring snow storms do occur in the mountains, and mountain passes, there are no medium and long-range forecasts this year calling for early spring snow and ice, the press release said.

Travelers crossing the Cascades are encouraged to review road conditions before setting out, the press release said, while those encountering wintery conditions in the mountain passes are encouraged to use chains.