| Before Heading for Snow Country |
Make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust system are in top condition. |
Check your antifreeze and be ready for colder temperatures. You may want to add special solvent to your windshield washer reservoir to prevent icing. |
Check your tires. Make sure they are properly inflated and the tread is in good condition. |
Always carry chains. Make sure they are the proper size for your tires and are in working order. You might also want to take along a flashlight and chain repair links. Chains must be installed on the drive wheels. Make sure you know if your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive. |
Other suggested items to carry in your car are an ice scraper or commercial deicer, a broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel to free your car if it's "snowed in," sand or burlap for traction if your wheels should become mired in snow and an old towel to clean your hands. |
It is also a good idea to take along water, food, warm blankets and extra clothing. A lengthy delay will make you glad to have them. |
Put an extra car key in your pocket. A number of motorists have locked themselves out of their cars when putting on chains at ski areas.
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| Driving Tips |
Allow enough Time. Trips to the mountains can take longer during winter than other times of the year, especially if you encounter storm conditions or icy roads. Get an early start and allow plenty of time to reach your destination. |
Keep you gas tank full. It may be necessary to change routes or turn back during a bad storm or you may be caught in a traffic delay. |
Keep your windshield and windows clear. You may want to stop at a safe turnout to use a snow brush or a scraper. Use the car defroster and a clean cloth to keep the windows free of fog. |
Slow Down. A highway speed of 55 or 65 miles an hour is safe in dry weather but an invitation for trouble on snow or ice. Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, so keep your seat belt buckled and leave more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Bridge decks and shady spots can be icy when other areas are not. Remember to avoid sudden stops and quick direction changes. |
Be more observant. Visibility is often limited in winter by weather conditions. Slow down and watch for other vehicles and for snow equipment. Even though snow removal vehicles have flashing lights, visibility may be so restricted during a storm that it is difficult to see the slow moving equipment.
When stalled, stay with your vehicle and try to conserve fuel while maintaining warmth. Be alert to any possible exhaust or monoxide problems.
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| Chain Requirements: |
R1: Chains or snow tires (M& S on side of tire) required |
R2: Chains required on all vehicles except four wheel drives with snow tread tires. |
R3: Chains required- all vehicles- no exceptions. |
R1 and R2 are the most common conditions. The highway is usually closed before an R3 condition is imposed.
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| Chain Control |
You must stop and put on chains when highway signs indicate chains are required. You can be cited by the California Highway Patrol and fined if you don't. You will usually have about a mile between "Chains Required" signs and the checkpoint to install your chains.
Control areas can change rapidly from place to place because of changing weather and road conditions.
The speed limit when chains are required is 25 or 30 miles an hour and will be posted along the highway. Speed limits are enforced by radar.
When you must put on chains, wait until you can pull completely off the roadway to the right. Do not stop in a traffic lane where you will endanger yourself and block traffic.
Chain Installers: If you use the services of a chain installer, be sure to get a receipt and jot the installer's badge number on it. Remember, chain installers are independent business people, not Caltrans or City Employees. Having the badge number may help with any misunderstanding later. Chain installers are NOT allowed to sell or rent chains.
When removing chains, drive beyond the signs reading "end Chain Control" to a pull-off area where you can safely remove them.
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| About Delays and Closures |
Weather and road conditions change rapidly and may cause a change in chain control points or a closure of the highway. The highway may be open when you leave home, but may close or have chain controls imposed as you are traveling to your destination. |
Spinouts and accidents happen frequently during storms which may block the roadway for several hours. Heavily traveled routes such as Interstate 80 and U.S. 50 are particularly vulnerable to such closures because of their high traffic volumes. Avalanche control work may close Highway 50 during heavy storms. |
Zero visibility caused by high winds and blowing snow is another cause for closing a highway. This happens frequently on interstate 80 during winter storms. |
Managing Traffic on I-80 and U.S. 50: Caltrans is trying to reduce the number and length of times I-80 and U.S. 50 are closed due to spinouts and accidents. During major storms when traffic flow is heavy, Caltrans will meter eastbound I-80 traffic at Applegate (nine miles east of Auburn). Caltrans also meters U.S. 50 traffic at Polock Pines and Meyers when necessary. By letting fewer cars feed into the storm area, Caltrans has a better chance of reducing congestion at chain-on areas and accident sites. Waiting at Applegate or Pollock Pines below the snow line is better that sitting for hours in a snow storm traffic jam. The procedure also gives motorists the option of turning around and waiting out the delay in a warm restaurant rather than in their cars.
Caltrans Radio: During Storms Caltrans broadcasts road condition information on low frequency radio transmitters along some mountain highways. Watch for road signs along the way and turn you radio to the frequency given. Transmission range is generally two to three miles. There are 11 permanent installations on I-80 between Dixon and the Nevada state line and one on Highway 89 in Tahoe City. On U.S. 50 Caltrans has five transmitters between Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. Portable transmitters are also used when needed. A word of caution? If you are sitting in traffic in the Sierra during a storm and you are seeking information on the situation, tune to the Caltrans Radio and avoid using your cellular phone. Massive cellular phone use interferes with Caltrans/CHP cellular communications which may lengthen your delay.
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