Chapter 9.20
TIRE CHAINS AND TRACTION DEVICES
Sections:
9.20.040 Adoption by reference.
9.20.050 Use of tire chains or other traction devices—Violations.
9.20.070 Penalty for violation.
9.20.010 Short title.
The title to this chapter shall be known and may be cited as “the Chelan County tire chain and traction device resolution.” (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).
9.20.020 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to control motor vehicle traffic and to improve and maintain the safety of vehicular travel on county roads by requiring use of tire chains or other traction devices for motor vehicles moving upon county roads under such conditions and at such times as public safety may require, and to impose penalties for violations. (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).
9.20.030 Signs posted.
(1) The Chelan County engineer is authorized to assess and determine whether conditions on a county road require use of tire chains or other traction devices to protect the safety of vehicular travel on a county road, or whether a recommendation of use of such equipment will suffice.
(2) The county engineer is authorized to post traffic control signs marked “Chains Required,” “Traction Devices Required,” or such similar signs which indicate the recommendation or requirement that vehicles have tire chains or other traction devices mounted on the drive tires.
(3) The county engineer may delegate the authority in this section to designated and duly qualified subordinate. Any such delegation shall be in writing and no further delegation will be allowed.
(4) Traffic control signs shall be conform substantially to the requirements of MUTCD and shall be substantially similar to signs authorized for use on state highways. Traffic control signs authorized by this chapter shall be placed at such locations along county roads for such times as the county engineer shall deem the use of traction devices on vehicles necessary and desirable for the purposes of this chapter. (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).
9.20.040 Adoption by reference.
(1) WAC 204-24-010, 204-24-020, 204-24-030, and 204-24-040, as now or hereafter amended, are adopted by this reference as if fully set forth herein.
(2) One copy of each of WAC 204-24-010, 204-24-020, 204-24-030, and 204-24-040, attached to the resolution codified in this section and incorporated by reference, shall be filed with the county auditor for at least ten days prior to effective date of adoption by the reference herein. (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).
9.20.050 Use of tire chains or other traction devices—Violations.
(1) Vehicles Under Ten Thousand Pounds Gross Vehicle Weight. When traffic control signs are posted along a county road by the county engineer it will be unlawful for any vehicle to enter the controlled area without having mounted on its drive tires the traction device specified by the sign, which must also meet the requirements of WAC 204-24-040.
(A) Exception for All-Wheel Drive Vehicles. When “chains required” signs are posted, all-wheel drive vehicles will be exempt from the chain requirement when all wheels are in gear and are equipped with approved traction devices as specified in WAC 204-24-040; provided, that tire chains or at least one set of drive tires is carried in the vehicle.
(B) Alternative traction devices listed on the Washington State Patrol’s website as being approved for passenger vehicles will be considered approved for use when “chains required” signs are posted.
(2) Vehicles or Combinations of Vehicles Over Ten Thousand Pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). When traffic control signs marked “chains required” are posted by the county engineer it will be unlawful for any vehicle or combination of vehicles to enter the controlled area without having mounted on its tires tire chains as follows; provided, that highway maintenance vehicles operated by the county public works department for the purpose of snow removal and its ancillary functions are exempt from the following requirements if such vehicle has sanding capability in front of the drive tires.
(A) Vehicles or vehicle combinations with two to four axles including but not limited to trucks, truck-tractors, buses and school buses: For vehicles with a single drive axle, one tire on each side of the drive axle must be chained. For vehicles with dual drive axles, one tire on each side of one of the drive axles must be chained. For vehicle combinations including trailers or semi-trailers, one tire on the last axle of the last trailer or semi-trailer must be chained. If the trailer or semi-trailer has tandem rear axles, the chained tire may be on either of the last two axles.
(B) Automobile transporters are any vehicle combination designed and used specifically for the transport of assembled (capable of being driven) highway vehicles. For vehicles with single drive axles, one tire on each side of the drive axle must be chained. For vehicles with dual drive axles, one tire on each side of each of the drive axles must be chained. For vehicle combinations including trailers or semi-trailers, one tire on the last axle of the last trailer or semi-trailer must be chained. If the trailer or semi-trailer has tandem rear axles, the chained tire may be on either of the last two axles.
(C) Vehicle combinations with five axles consisting of a truck tractor with dual drive axles and a tandem axled semi-trailer: All tires on one drive axle may be chained or one tire on each side of each of the drive axles may be chained. Chains must be applied to a minimum of four tires on the drive axles. On the tandem axle semi-trailer, the chained tire may be on either of the last two axles.
(D) Vehicle combinations with five axles, consisting of a truck and trailer, or truck tractor and semi-trailer with a single drive axle, or truck tractor, semi-trailer and full trailer: For vehicles with a single drive axle, all tires on the drive axle must be chained. For vehicles with dual drive axles, all tires on one of the drive axles must be chained. For vehicle combinations including trailers or semi-trailers, one tire on the last axle of the last trailer or semi-trailer must be chained. If the trailer or semi-trailer has tandem rear axles, the chained tire may be on either of the last two axles.
(E) Vehicle combinations with six or more axles, including but not limited to truck and trailer or truck tractor and semi-trailer or truck tractor semi-trailer and full trailer: For vehicles with a single drive axle, all tires on the drive axle must be chained. For vehicles with dual drive axles where traffic control signs marked “approved traction tires required” are posted, all tires on one of the drive axles must be chained. For vehicles with dual drive axles where traffic control signs marked “chains required” are posted, all tires on one of the drive axles must be chained. In addition, one tire on each side of the additional drive axle must be chained. For vehicle combinations including trailers or semi-trailers, one tire on the last axle must be chained. For vehicles with tandem axle trailers or semi-trailers, the chained tire may be on either of the last two axles.
(F) All vehicles over ten thousand pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) must carry a minimum of two extra chains for use in the event that road conditions require the use of more chains or in the event that chains in use are broken or otherwise made useless.
(G) Approved chains for vehicles over ten thousand pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) must have at least two side chains to which are attached sufficient cross chains of hardened metal so that at least one cross chain is in contact with the road surface at all times. Plastic chains will not be allowed.
(3) For the purpose of this section, chained will mean that the tire has either a tire chain approved for use under Chapter 204-24 WAC or an alternative traction tire device listed on the Washington State Patrol’s website as approved for the type of vehicle combination listed in this section.
(4) The Chelan County engineer, public works department personnel, or the county sheriff may prohibit any vehicle from entering a chain/approved traction device control area when it is determined that the vehicle will experience difficulty in safely traveling the area. (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).
9.20.060 Jurisdiction.
This chapter shall apply to all motor vehicles moving upon Chelan County roads outside the boundaries of the incorporated cities of the county. (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).
9.20.070 Penalty for violation.
Any person violating this chapter shall be guilty of a traffic infraction. (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).
9.20.080 Repealer.
(1) Resolution 342-E, enacted December 5, 1966, is repealed as of the effective date of this chapter.
(2) Resolution 82-3, enacted January 11, 1982, is repealed as of the effective date of this chapter. (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).
9.20.090 Saving clause.
Resolutions 342-E and 82-3, repealed by the resolution enacting this chapter, shall remain in effect until the effective date of this chapter. (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).
9.20.100 Effective date.
This chapter shall become effective on January 25, 2013. (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).
9.20.110 Severability.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or provision of this chapter is declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining parts of this chapter. (Res. 2013-10 (Exh. A) (part), 1/15/13).