Truckers passing through Vail, Colorado, need to keep chains on their tires or face stiff penalties.
The latest: Vail's city council approved a $2,650 fine on March 18 for truckers who fail to chain up and cause traffic snarls on Interstate 70.
- This ordinance applies during harsh winter conditions when the chain law is in effect.
- Passenger vehicles aren't off the hook; they'll face $1,500 fines for ignoring chain laws.
What's driving this: Interstate 70 has shut down over 200 times this winter because of weather-related mishaps, a 40% jump from the previous year, reported The Colorado Sun.
Authorities say 60% of truckers bypass the chain rules, frequently leading to blockages.
The bigger picture: The chain laws aim to keep traffic flowing smoothly on I-70, a vital route for truckers supplying mountain communities.
Mayor Travis Coggin stated, “If you don’t like the fine, don’t break the law.” The fine is capped at $2,650 by state law, despite earlier calls for it to be as high as $20,000.
Looking ahead: It's unclear when these fines will start being enforced, but you can bet they'll keep an eye out for violators as soon as it does. Until then, keep those chains handy — don’t let a fine catch up to you. No one wants a ticket on top of a tricky haul.