Drivers have two weeks to remove studded tires before April 1 deadline

Oregon drivers have two weeks to remove studded tires from their vehicles before the statewide April 1 deadline or face a $165 fine. State law allows studded tires from Nov. 1 through March 31. Beginning April 1, law enforcement can cite drivers who still have them on. Drivers who need extra traction after the deadline should use non-studded traction tires or chains, or postpone travel until conditions improve. "Spring storms are always possible in Oregon," said Elizabeth Papadopoulos, ODOT state maintenance and operations engineer. "Our maintenance crews are monitoring the weather and will work to remove any late-season snow or ice from highways as soon as possible." ODOT encourages drivers to consider alternatives to studded tires when planning for next winter. Research shows all-weather tires without studs don't cause the road damage that studded tires do while providing better traction on bare pavement, ODOT said. More information on Oregon’s traction tire and chain requirements is available at tripcheck.com.