October is almost here and that means that studded snow tires will be permitted on vehicles south of the 60° North Latitude on Saturday, October 1st. Studded snow tires already have been permitted for vehicles north of the 60° North Latitude, which includes all communities north of Ninilchik (NOTE: this doesn’t include municipalities who have their own ordinance regarding the use of studded tires, like Anchorage).
“Essentially, we require that people take off their studded tires in the late spring and summer and then allow them to put them back on September 16th,” according to Shannon McCarthy with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. “The reason why we do that is we want to actually, when people don’t need studs, we want them off the roads, so they cause less damage because studded tires on a warm road actually take quite a bit of chunks out of the road. It’s a little better when roads are cooler and it makes more sense, of course, when people need more traction.”
Every year, Alaska State Troopers note a spike in motor vehicle accidents as the seasons change and fall leaves give way to early morning frost.
“It allows people to put on their studs over a longer period of time so there’s not a big rush,” added McCarthy. “That’s going back to the tire places as well. We are able to take a look at the weather and see what’s coming up. There’s always a little bit of a rush when we have our first snow, but fortunately, most of the time, our first snow is a dusting and just gives everyone that fair warning that you have got to start getting the vehicle ready for winter.”
Troopers have made note to remind Alaskans that even with studded tires being legal, drivers must still pay attention and be prepared for the initial layers of ice that will soon develop as temperatures drop. They also remind drivers to begin slowing even more ahead of time when approaching intersections and stop lights, as sliding is always possible.
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