WAC 204-24-040   Traction devices.  The following equipment items are approved by the state patrol for use as traction devices wherever traction devices are required by the department of transportation:

     (1) Tire chains meeting the standards in chapter 204-22 WAC.

     (2) Studded tires meeting the standards in WAC 204-24-030.

     (3) Approved traction tires. An approved traction tire shall have the following tread characteristics:

     (a) A minimum of 4/32 inch tread, measured in the center portion of the tire at three locations equally spaced around the circumference of the tire.

     (b) A relatively aggressive tread pattern designed primarily to provide additional starting, stopping, and driving traction on snow or ice. The tread shall have ribs, lugs, blocks or buttons the edges of which are at an angle greater than thirty degrees to the tire circumferential centerline.

     (c) On at least one side of the tread design, the shoulder lugs protrude at least 1/2-inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of travel.

     (d) Tires manufactured to meet these specifications shall be permanently labeled on at least one sidewall with the words "mud and snow" or any contraction using the letters "M" and "S" (e.g. MS, M/S, M-S, M & S, etc.).

     (4) Special tires specifically designed to improve stopping, traction, and cornering abilities of the tire on ice or snow may be approved by the state patrol as an approved traction device.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.420. 92-05-016, § 204-24-040, filed 2/10/92, effective 3/12/92; 83-21-080 (Order 83-10-01), § 204-24-040, filed 10/19/83. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005. 82-11-045 (Order 82-05-01), § 204-24-040, filed 5/12/82; Order 7607, § 204-24-040, filed 9/14/76; Order 6902, § 204-24-040, filed 2/17/70.]