Washington troopers net 64 violations during two day chain check

The Washington State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau (WSPCVEB) recently held a chain enforcement and inspection patrol.

The chain check took place over two days in November on Snoqualmie Pass.

Over the two day period, officers inspected 146 commercial vehicles. On those inspected commercial vehicles, 64 chain violations were discovered.

In Washington State, all vehicles and combinations of vehicles over 10,000 pounds are required by law to carry sufficient tire chains to meet the requirements from November 1 to April 1 of each year or at other times when chains are required for such vehicles on the following routes:

• SR-542 Mt Baker Highway between (MP 22.91) and (MP 57.26)
• I-90 between North Bend (MP 32) and Ellensburg (MP 101)
• I-82 between Ellensburg Exit 3 (MP 3.00) and Selah Exit 26 (MP 26.00)
• SR-97 between (MP 145) and Junction
• SR-2 between Dryden (MP 108) and Index (MP 36)
• SR-12 between Packwood (MP 135) and Naches (MP 187)
• SR-97 between junction SR-14 (MP 4) Columbia River and Toppenish (MP 59)
• SR-410 from Enumclaw to Naches
• SR-20 between Tonasket (MP 262) and Kettle Falls (MP 342)
• SR-155 between Omak (MP 79) and Nespelem (MP 45)
• SR-970 between (MP 0) and (MP 10)
• SR-14 (MP 18) to Junction 97 (MP 102)

From the Washington State Department of Transportation:

All vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW shall carry a minimum of 2 extra chains for use in the event that road conditions require the use of more chains or that chains in use are broken or otherwise made useless, WAC 204-24-050 (2) (f).

Approved chains for vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight shall have at least two side chains attached sufficient cross chains of hardened metal so that at least one cross-chain is in contact with the road surface at all times. Plastic chains shall not be allowed. The Washington State Patrol may approve other devices as chains if the devices are equivalent to regular chains in performance (cable chains allowable).

Learn more about chain requirements in Washington State here.