SALT LAKE CITY — The traction law is currently in effect, meaning that drivers going through Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons will need traction devices such as chains or snow tires.
In a tweet published just after 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning, the UDOT Cottonwood Canyons account announced that the law was in effect for SR-190 and SR-210, the two roads going through Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons respectively.
🚨 #RoadWeatherAlert 🚨
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) March 20, 2022
The #TractionLaw is in effect for both Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons. #SR190 #SR210 @UDOTTRAFFIC @UDOTRegionTwo @AltaCentral @AltaSkiArea @SnowbirdAlerts @SolitudeMTN @BrightonResort @UPDSL @BrightonUT @alta_of pic.twitter.com/JuXCzRUsju
An earlier tweet published around 7:30 a.m. advised drivers that that UDOT crews were pretreating the roads in preparation for an incoming storm, predicted to hit the canyons between 9:00 am and 1:00 p.m.
#RoadUpdate 👋 #SR190 & #SR210 travelers! Crews are out this AM pretreating the roads ahead of the incoming storm! Please give them space to work.
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) March 20, 2022
Before you travel in the #CottonwoodCanyons today, be prepared for the changing conditions up here, especially from 9am-1pm! ❄️ pic.twitter.com/MlSTdaDM7V
The Traction Law, known officially as Utah Administrative Rule R920-6, goes into effect when road conditions become slick due to weather. This is at the discretion of both UDOT and Unified Police.
Under the law, drivers are required to have tire chains, snow socks, tire studs, or 3 peak mountain snow flake (3PMSF) snow tires on their vehicle. Approved tires are often identified by an M+S or M/S (mud and snow) label, or a snowflake symbol on the side of the tire.
If conditions are really bad, drivers operating two-wheel drive vehicles may be denied access to the canyons at the discretion of law enforcement.
