Studded snow tires deadline extended

Old Man Winter has pulled an April Fool on the Inland Northwest, prompting Washington to extend its deadline for studded tire removal.

Washington drivers have five extra days this year – through Saturday – to remove studded snow tires.

The cutoff is still almost a month earlier than Idaho’s April 30 deadline – a discrepancy that puts those who commute from Idaho to Washington in a predicament.

Especially with 18 inches of snow falling in some areas over the weekend.

Studs on or studs off?

“I tell people that whatever state you’re in, that’s the law you’re under,” said Idaho Transportation Department spokeswoman Barbara Babic, “whether it be for studded tires or whether or not you’re wearing your seat belt or other laws.”

Drivers caught with studded tires on Washington roads after Saturday risk $101 tickets.

“With any type of enforcement it’s at the officer’s discretion,” said Washington State Patrol Trooper Mark Baker.

Officers can give written warnings or a correction notice instead of a ticket, Baker said.

A driver who receives a correction notice has a couple days to get studded tires removed and must go to a law enforcement agency to prove the tires are off. If a driver doesn’t follow through, a $124 citation will be sent in the mail, Baker said.

Some readers contacted via e-mail for this story said they are willing to risk a ticket for the security they feel driving with studded tires.

Jim Shubert has lived in Idaho for 62 years and said he normally removes his studded tires at the end of March. He and his wife frequently travel from their home in St. Maries to Spokane to shop.

“I will not remove my studded tires until it is safe to do so,” Shubert said. “Washington is like Idaho in the fact that is it split into two different regions. Eastern Washington and North Idaho should be on the same schedule for stud removal.”

Deadlines should be determined by the weather, he said.

Sandpoint’s Larry Bauer often travels to Spokane and said even though he’s worried about getting a ticket in Washington, he plans on leaving his studded tires on until Idaho’s deadline because of the recent snow.

“If I get a ticket in Spokane, I will get a lawyer and fight it,” he said.

Others question the need for studded tires, and some say they should be banned.

“The ruts on (Interstate) 90 going past Spokane are so deep you can take your hands off the steering wheel and let your tires follow the deep troughs in the pavement,” said J. Pierce Christie, of Sandpoint.

Christie said there are alternatives to studded tires – like those with ground up walnut shells or siping.

“People who insist they need steel studs should be made to pay for their own lane via a tire tax and heavily fined when caught in the regular lanes,” Christie said.

Washington State Patrol cars don’t have studded tires, Baker said, and troopers spent the entire winter on the roads in the worst of weather.

April brings warmer weather, Baker said, and there’s no need for studded tires.

“If there’s a chance you’re going to be traveling over passes or you live in an area on top of a snowy ridge in Idaho but you commute in and out of Washington, carry some chains,” he said.