| Before
Heading for Snow Country |
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Make sure your brakes, windshield wipers,
defroster, heater and exhaust system are in
top condition.
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Check your antifreeze and be ready for colder
temperatures. You may want to add special
solvent to your windshield washer reservoir
to prevent icing.
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Check your tires. Make sure they are properly
inflated and the tread is in good condition.
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Always carry chains. Make sure they are the
proper size for your tires and are in working
order. You might also want to take along a
flashlight and chain repair links. Chains
must be installed on the drive wheels. Make
sure you know if your vehicle is front or
rear wheel drive.
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Other suggested items to carry in your car
are an ice scraper or commercial deicer, a
broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel
to free your car if it's "snowed in," sand
or burlap for traction if your wheels should
become mired in snow and an old towel to clean
your hands.
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It is also a good idea to take along water,
food, warm blankets and extra clothing. A
lengthy delay will make you glad to have them.
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Put an extra car key in your pocket. A number
of motorists have locked themselves out of
their cars when putting on chains at ski areas.
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| Driving
Tips |
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Allow enough Time. Trips to the mountains
can take longer during winter than other times
of the year, especially if you encounter storm
conditions or icy roads. Get an early start
and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
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Keep you gas tank full. It may be necessary
to change routes or turn back during a bad
storm or you may be caught in a traffic delay.
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Keep your windshield and windows clear. You
may want to stop at a safe turnout to use
a snow brush or a scraper. Use the car defroster
and a clean cloth to keep the windows free
of fog.
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Slow Down. A highway speed of 55 or 65 miles
an hour is safe in dry weather but an invitation
for trouble on snow or ice. Snow and ice make
stopping distances much longer, so keep your
seat belt buckled and leave more distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
Bridge decks and shady spots can be icy when
other areas are not. Remember to avoid sudden
stops and quick direction changes.
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Be more observant. Visibility is often limited
in winter by weather conditions. Slow down
and watch for other vehicles and for snow
equipment. Even though snow removal vehicles
have flashing lights, visibility may be so
restricted during a storm that it is difficult
to see the slow moving equipment.
When stalled, stay with your vehicle and try
to conserve fuel while maintaining warmth.
Be alert to any possible exhaust or monoxide
problems.
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| Chain
Requirements: |
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R1: Chains or snow tires (M& S on side
of tire) required
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R2: Chains required on all vehicles except
four wheel drives with snow tread tires.
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R3: Chains required- all vehicles- no exceptions.
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R1 and R2 are the most common conditions.
The highway is usually closed before an R3
condition is imposed.
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| Chain
Control |
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You must stop and put on chains when highway
signs indicate chains are required. You can
be cited by the California Highway Patrol
and fined if you don't. You will usually have
about a mile between "Chains Required" signs
and the checkpoint to install your chains.
Control areas can change rapidly from place
to place because of changing weather and road
conditions.
The speed limit when chains are required
is 25 or 30 miles an hour and will be posted
along the highway. Speed limits are enforced
by radar.
When you must put on chains, wait until you
can pull completely off the roadway to the
right. Do not stop in a traffic lane where
you will endanger yourself and block traffic.
Chain Installers: If you use the services
of a chain installer, be sure to get a receipt
and jot the installer's badge number on it.
Remember, chain installers are independent
business people, not Caltrans or City Employees.
Having the badge number may help with any
misunderstanding later. Chain installers are
NOT allowed to sell or rent chains.
When removing chains, drive beyond the signs
reading "end Chain Control" to a pull-off
area where you can safely remove them.
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| About
Delays and Closures |
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Weather and road conditions change
rapidly and may cause a change in chain
control points or a closure of the highway.
The highway may be open when you leave
home, but may close or have chain controls
imposed as you are traveling to your
destination.
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Spinouts and accidents happen frequently
during storms which may block the roadway
for several hours. Heavily traveled
routes such as Interstate 80 and U.S.
50 are particularly vulnerable to such
closures because of their high traffic
volumes. Avalanche control work may
close Highway 50 during heavy storms.
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Zero visibility caused by high winds
and blowing snow is another cause for
closing a highway. This happens frequently
on interstate 80 during winter storms.
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Managing Traffic on I-80 and U.S. 50:
Caltrans is trying to reduce the number
and length of times I-80 and U.S. 50
are closed due to spinouts and accidents.
During major storms when traffic flow
is heavy, Caltrans will meter eastbound
I-80 traffic at Applegate (nine miles
east of Auburn). Caltrans also meters
U.S. 50 traffic at Polock Pines and
Meyers when necessary. By letting fewer
cars feed into the storm area, Caltrans
has a better chance of reducing congestion
at chain-on areas and accident sites.
Waiting at Applegate or Pollock Pines
below the snow line is better that sitting
for hours in a snow storm traffic jam.
The procedure also gives motorists the
option of turning around and waiting
out the delay in a warm restaurant rather
than in their cars.
Caltrans Radio: During Storms Caltrans
broadcasts road condition information
on low frequency radio transmitters
along some mountain highways. Watch
for road signs along the way and turn
you radio to the frequency given. Transmission
range is generally two to three miles.
There are 11 permanent installations
on I-80 between Dixon and the Nevada
state line and one on Highway 89 in
Tahoe City. On U.S. 50 Caltrans has
five transmitters between Placerville
and South Lake Tahoe. Portable transmitters
are also used when needed. A word of
caution? If you are sitting in traffic
in the Sierra during a storm and you
are seeking information on the situation,
tune to the Caltrans Radio and avoid
using your cellular phone. Massive cellular
phone use interferes with Caltrans/CHP
cellular communications which may lengthen
your delay.
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