Drivers in Oregon and Washington have until Friday to remove studded tires from their cars or face fines.
Studded tires, which use metal knobs to improve traction on icy roads, are allowed in both states from Nov. 1 through March 31, with occasional extensions for bad weather.
They’re not allowed year-round because of their propensity to chew up bare roads. A 2014 Oregon Department of Transportation study found the tires cause about $8.5 million in road damage annually, and Washington’s transportation department puts the damage in that state at $20 million to $29 million a year.
Drivers still rattling around on studded tires April 1 or beyond could be cited by police. The violation comes with a presumptive fine of $165 in Oregon or $137 in Washington.
— Elliot Njus; enjus@oregonian.com
