Check Your Route 
Prepare your Vehicle
You should keep your vehicle in top operating condition all year round for safety and fuel economy. It is especially important to prepare for winter driving by performing the following safety steps:
- Know your vehicle. Read your Owner's Manual and winterize the following:
- battery and lights
- defroster and heater
- motor oil
- wiper blades and windshield washer fluid
- antifreeze
- belts, hoses and filters
- tire pressure
- brakes and brake fluid
- Keep your gas tank full to minimize condensation, and provide an extra margin of comfort and safety in case of delays.
- A CB radio or cellular phone can be a lifesaver for you or another stranded motorist in the event of an emergency or collision.
- Stock your car with basic safety equipment such as emergency cash, scraper and brush, small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain, and bag of sand or cat litter for tire traction.
- Carry a breakdown kit that includes road flares, blanket, gloves, boots, warm clothing, flashlight, extra batteries, food, water, and first-aid kit.
- Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights - even the hood and roof - before driving.
- Know current road conditions:
- Call 511 for traveler information.
- View weather and traffic information at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic
- Check local news for weather and traffic reports.
- Watch electronic highway signs for information.
On the Road
Winter road conditions require your extra attention. Staying off the phone, driving at a safe and legal speed, driving alert and sober and buckling up will ensure that you safely make it to your destination.
- Drive with your headlights on.
- Slow Down! Give yourself extra time to reach your destination when roads are slick. If at all possible, do not drive when the roads are icy. Consider delaying your trip.
- Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows - stay at least 15 car lengths (200 feet) back and don't pass on the right.
- Watch for icy surfaces on bridges, even when the rest of the road seems to be in good condition.
- Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra seconds to react.
- Trucks take longer to stop, so don't cut in front of them.
- Don't use your cruise control or overdrive when it's freezing (or colder).
- Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It helps you get going quicker but won't help you stop any faster.
- Don't pump anti-lock brakes. The right way is to "stomp and steer."
On the Radio AM 530 or AM 1610
If traveling over the mountains, it's a good idea to program a button on your radio for these stations. Local radio and television stations provide motorists with specific road conditions. Electronic highway message signs alert drivers of upcoming road conditions. Highway advisory radio signs tell motorists to “tune in” (530 or 1610 AM) for important traffic advisories.
Know your Tire and Chain Options
Road and weather conditions vary throughout Washington. Because different types of winter tires perform best under different road conditions, your local tire dealer can help you select the best option. Approved passenger car traction tires have at least an eighth of an inch of tread and are labeled "Mud and Snow," "M+S," "All Season," or have a "Mountain/Snowflake," symbol. These tires can be used year-round. Studded tires are approved traction tires. In Washington, studded tires are legal for use between November 1 through April 1. For more information on Washington's laws regarding tire chains and traction tires, visit: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/commercialvehicle/chain_req.htmTraction Advisories: What Do They Mean?
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Traction Advisory - Oversize Vehicles Prohibited Road signs let drivers know the legal requirements on roadways. To keep Drivers and roadways safe, we sometimes restrict oversize vehicles from roadways during severe weather conditions. Traction Tires? Traction tires have at least an eighth of an inch of tread and are labeled "Mud and Snow," "M+S," "All Season," or have a "Mountain/Snowflake," symbol.
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Chains required on vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). If your vehicle (this includes some larger passenger trucks and SUV's) exceeds that gross weight, chains are required. If you fail to install chains, you may get ticketed and fined. Vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) must carry chains November 1 through March 31 on certain state-owned roads. For more information on chain requirement, visit: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/commercialvehicle/chain_req.htm
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Chains required on all vehicles - Except all-wheel drive In extreme weather conditions, the Washington State Patrol will require all vehicles (except all-wheel drive) to install tire chains. However, the Washington State Patrol can require chains on all-wheel drive vehicles too. Check the latest road restrictions at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes |
Avalanche Hazards
Heavy snowfall in the mountains followed by rain or warm weather increases avalanche hazards. WSDOT avalanche control technicians help keep drivers safe by using explosive-controlled avalanches to direct when and where the snow comes down the mountain. Snoqualmie (I-90) and Stevens (US 2) passes are two areas that require avalanche control work. When possible, avalanche control is done when traffic is light as traffic must be stopped for safety. For more information on WSDOT Avalanche control, visit: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/maintenance/avalanche/Highway Snow and Ice Removal
| The Washington State Department of Transportation highway maintenance crews are ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week to prevent or remove snow and ice. We take a two-step approach to keeping roads safe during winter weather. We prevent ice from forming on highways in the most vulnerable locations by applying anti-icing compounds. If snow or ice appears on highways, we plow and apply chemical de-icers. |
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| We remove snow from the most heavily traveled interstates and state routes first. After these priority highways are cleared, we remove snow and ice on other highways. Initial efforts are directed to locations where drivers are most vulnerable: hills, curves, ramps, bridges and interchanges. Although plowing starts soon after the storm begins, it takes time to complete the work, particularly if the storm continues to produce snow and ice. Our snow removal operations provide motorists with a reasonably safe traveling surface. Despite these efforts, we cannot guarantee ice-free roadways. Motorists must always exercise caution when driving in cold and wet weather. For more information, visit: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/anti.htm |
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Mountain Pass Closures
Some mountain passes (including the North Cascades, Chinook and Cayuse passes) are closed each winter. These road closures occur where deep snow and avalanches make it unsafe for motorists and maintenance crews.
Managing Mountain Pass Traffic
This process regulates the number of eastbound vehicles per hour attempting to cross the pass, reducing accidents and allowing WSDOT maintenance crews to safely remove snow and ice from the roadway without closing the pass. It involves temporarily closing some of the lanes to create more space between vehicles.
Active Resource Management
When a significant snowfall event is forecast for Snoqualmie Pass, WSDOT coordinates the transfer of snowplows, operators, and incident response vehicles to the scene; the equipment is rolling hours in advance of the forecast event. Crews from Seattle to Pasco expand their coverage area to strengthen the WSDOT snow removal and de-icing efforts. Shifting resources from nearby maintenance crews significantly increases the equipment and people helping to keep the roadway passable and safe.
Chain Up Assistance on Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes
WSDOT will permit businesses and individuals to install and/or remove motorist-owned tire chains for a fee. The service will be available when chains are required for passenger cars or on vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The services will range from $5 -$25. Motorists who want to install or remove their own tire chains can continue to do so in designated chain-up areas. For more information, and a complete price list, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/chain_install.htm
For more information, contact WSDOT Winter Maintenance at WSDOTWinterOperations@wsdot.wa.gov |
