NDOT has new chain requirements on Lake Tahoe highways for 2018-19 winter

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - There are new chain requirements on Kingsbury Grade, Mt. Rose Highway and Spooner Summit during the 2018-19 winter.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has enacted a change on these Tahoe-area highways and now require any vehicle traveling without tire chains during winter chain restrictions to be four-wheel or all-wheel drive with snow tires. No longer will cars without these distinctions be allowed to cross chain control lines with just snow tires.

All vehicle types with chain or snow tires were previously allowed during chain requirements. Under the new requirement, only four-wheel or all-wheel vehicles with snow tires and all vehicles with approved tire chains will be allowed when chain requirements are in place on the following state roads:

State Route 431 (Mt. Rose Highway)
State Route 207 (Kingsbury Grade)
U.S. 50 (Spooner) - Between Glenbrook and Carson City

Tire and chain requirements will not change on other Nevada highway corridors.

The change is aimed at enhancing traffic mobility and safety on roughly 50 miles of mountainous state highway in the Lake Tahoe area. The restrictions help ensure all vehicles on the road are equipped with enhanced traction support for certain elements of winter driving.

Twenty roadside chain restriction signs have been updated to reflect the new change. The revised chain requirements will also be reflected on the nvroads.com road conditions website.

In just three recent winters, more than 300 crashes have occurred on the mountain highways. Statewide, as many as 2,000 crashes occur every year due to unsafe driving in snow, ice and other wet conditions, such as driving too fast for conditions or following too closely.

Because no type of traction control or device can offer absolute traction and safety during winter driving, motorists are reminded to only travel when necessary in winter weather. If necessary to travel, drivers should reduce their speed for conditions and leave space between their vehicle and others. Wearing a seat belt and focusing on the road are other important driving tips for any type of weather.

Updated state road conditions, including winter road closures and incidents, are available by dialing “511” or logging on to nvroads.com before driving. Drivers can also view live traffic cameras and sign up for free traffic alerts for their state road commute.