I am pleased that Washington state Democratic senators from Spokane are learning some economics, even if only of studded snow tires and even if they get the solution wrong.

An outright ban on studded tires is not the solution, despite what the senators’ friends in Olympia have been telling them.

In my car with studs I have seen a car with no studs hit ice and slide into a parked truck ($600 repair bill); three all-wheel-drive cars (no studs) cross compact snow and slide onto the shoulder/ditch, and one flipping over; I have even seen a stopped state police car (no studs) slide off black ice into a ditch.

Tire choice should be mine and if studs accelerate highway wear, then I should pay for it. So calculate the cost and charge a prorated fee upon purchase. Problem solved (almost).

As to the legislators from Spokane, perhaps the law should require that they be obliged to actually live here, especially during the winter. That may inspire them to find solutions that do not just impose their personal biases on us, but instead allow citizens to remain free to choose.

Keith Carr

Moscow, Idaho