The rut

On the way to the airport at 3:45, Dec. 4, another studded tire problem jumped up.

Traffic was very light but when rounding the curve westbound the roadway turned to ice. As we approached the Freya off-ramp the vehicle in the right lane moved to the left a little and hit the edge of “the studded tire rut.” That caused the car to skid right and the driver tried to control the skid but lost it on the right side of “the studded tire rut,” then he lost total control. I was in the middle lane and somehow I avoided him but he hit the inside divider several times before he got stopped. I tried to stop but by that time I was way past where he ended up facing eastbound. This “accident” can be laid squarely on the shoulders of all of those folks that drive on studded tires. I understand that the “freeway” was still a mess at 7:30 a.m. and beyond.

I think you should be allowed to run studded tires but you should have to pay $100 per studded tire per year to repair road damage that you cause.

Let’s evaluate studded tires. What do they make ice skate runners out of? Metal, of course, because they slide easily on ice and snow. What do they make the skis on snowmobiles out of? Metal, of course, because they slide easily on ice and snow. What do they make snowmobile tracks out of? Rubber compounds, because they have to grip the ice and snow to propel the snowmobile! So, why would anyone in their right or left mind put steel under their tires? I guess to make them slide better. All-season tires are far better at getting you going and getting you stopped on ice and snow. With today’s compounds they are even superior to chains.

Les Spillman

Otis Orchards