9/27/2006
Studded tires legal in Idaho beginning Oct. 1
BOISE - Snowstorms may not be part of the immediate weather forecast, but Sunday (Oct. 1) marks the date for legal use of studded snow tires, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
While it is legal to use the tires, the transportation department advises against it unless conditions warrant. Studded tires are snow tires with small metal cleats embedded in the tread. Driving on studded tires may cause undue wear on bare roadways. Idaho's studded snow tire season continues through April 30.
Studded tire laws vary in neighboring states. Authorized start and stop dates are:
- Montana: Oct. 1 - May 31
- Nevada: Oct. 1 - April 30
- Utah: Oct. 15 - April 15
- Oregon: Nov. 1 - April 1
- Washington: Nov. 1 - March 31
- Wyoming: Legal all year
By dialing 511 or visiting 511.idaho.gov on the Web, travelers will be updated as conditions change on Idaho's highways. The system also includes more than 70 Web cameras located across the state. Idaho 511 shares 576 phone lines with multiple states, minimizing the chance that callers might get a busy signal during winter storms.