Because of a number of road closures in the past year caused by trucks that violated the state's chain law, the Colorado State Patrol may seek legislation to up penalties for violators.
According to the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, the current law calls for a $100 fine for truck drivers who violate the chain law. The fine may be increased to $500 if the lack of chains leads to a closure of all lanes of traffic in one direction. The patrol has noted that in some cases a jackknifed truck may block two out of three lanes, causing a major traffic problem. Under the existing law, they can only write the ticket for $100. They would like a change to allow them to assess the $500 fine if an unchained truck blocks more than one lane.
The association has agreed to meet with the highway patrol about the problem. However, the association notes that merely increasing fines may not solve some of the compliance problems. The group says more chain-up areas are needed on I-70, Berthoud Pass, and Rabbit Ears Pass. Areas are needed not only on the approach to inclines, they say, but also on the downhill stretch where drivers can remove their chains.
In addition, CMCA members say the patrol also often keeps the chain law in effect long after it is needed. And for drivers who want to wait out a storm, there is a serious lack of rest spaces for truck drivers in the mountains, the association says. While traffic has dramatically increased on I-70 through the mountains in the past 10 years, there has been virtually no increase in rest area space. Making matters worse, many of the rest areas that do exist are closed during severe weather.
According to the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, the current law calls for a $100 fine for truck drivers who violate the chain law. The fine may be increased to $500 if the lack of chains leads to a closure of all lanes of traffic in one direction. The patrol has noted that in some cases a jackknifed truck may block two out of three lanes, causing a major traffic problem. Under the existing law, they can only write the ticket for $100. They would like a change to allow them to assess the $500 fine if an unchained truck blocks more than one lane.
The association has agreed to meet with the highway patrol about the problem. However, the association notes that merely increasing fines may not solve some of the compliance problems. The group says more chain-up areas are needed on I-70, Berthoud Pass, and Rabbit Ears Pass. Areas are needed not only on the approach to inclines, they say, but also on the downhill stretch where drivers can remove their chains.
In addition, CMCA members say the patrol also often keeps the chain law in effect long after it is needed. And for drivers who want to wait out a storm, there is a serious lack of rest spaces for truck drivers in the mountains, the association says. While traffic has dramatically increased on I-70 through the mountains in the past 10 years, there has been virtually no increase in rest area space. Making matters worse, many of the rest areas that do exist are closed during severe weather.
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