Chain Enforcement on I-90, Is there a better way?

Yup - you completed the punchline to my comment. Given reality, enforcement seems to be the least bad option. And the bad way highnews only comes because of the great weather news.

Yes, it's all about the tires. Obviously, having an AWD with a low center of gravity (aka Subaru) helps a lot, but a front-wheel drive car with good snow tires should get you up to the pass without incident.

Personally, I can only remember two incidents involving a semi on Snoqualmie or Stevens, but I have been stuck countless times behind some dufus in a Honda Prelude or the like with tires smooth as my baby's bottom.

I grew up driving around Tahoe, and I can't recall roads ever being closed for anything except avalanche control and plowing. In the two years I spent in Scandinavia I almost never saw a car accident in the winter, even though nearly everyone drives a 2WD Saab or Volvo. The difference? Every one has winter tires there, and they actually have to learn how to drive and avoid accidents before they get their license.

Until the DOL tightens up the requirements on the driving skills portion of the test, the WSP will just have to keep enforcing controls. And I'm just going to have to keep dragging my ass out of bed in the dark to beat the traffic jam.

Chris,

So true. It's amazing the people who think owning a Subaru or a 4wd vehicle somehow makes you a good winter driver. The pass is usually littered with them off in the ditch in about the same numbers as any other vehicle. The DOT folks say they assist a lot of people who don't even have their 4wd engaged for heaven sakes.

It seems allot of the problem is the poor driving habits of many today. The basics are the same for all, SLOW DOWN, give the vehicle in front some distance, don't slam on the brakes, be courteous of others. Pretty simple really.

Just put my 1st set of full on winter tires, never bothered with them in the past. What a difference but I'm probably way to confident in them now compared to my passive driving habits without them.

However, rallying up the pass with the AWD is a breeze, if everyone had winter tires (studless) for travel over the pass there would be no big issue except for the semi's.

Big dump of snow, be up there before 8:30 to be safe.

Does anyone know if they are still requiring 4WD/AWD vehicles of less than 10,000 lbs GVW to carry chains when chains are required for non 4WD/AWD vehicles?  I heard they were a few years ago.  We are headed up for the Marmot Demo Night and chains are currently required on all vehicles except 4WD/AWD.  I don't want to go buy chains, but I don't want to get turned around either.

Thanks,
Robert ???

With AWD or 4WD they always just wave you through, so it is pretty unlikely you will have a problem.