Chronicles of chaos on icy roads continue as routine traffic law enforcement encounters a surge in chain law violations along Colorado's major highways, the most notorious being the winter warrior itself, I-70. As the principal artery transporting goods to the Western Slope and granting access to the recreational havens of the Rocky Mountains, it comes as no surprise that the route tops the chart for such infractions. According to the Colorado State Patrol, troopers and Port of Entry officers are keeping a vigilant watch not only on I-70 but other significant roads.
Effective since August 2024, Senate Bill 24-100 rigidly demands that commercial vehicles over 16,000 pounds used in commerce or transportation for more than 15 passengers, inclusive of the driver, are to carry chains from September through May, this expanded coverage spans several critical byways; those listed include I-70 west from Morrison to Utah’s border, Highway 9, Route 40, U.S. Routes 50, 160, 285, and the entirety of Route 550, as reported by Colorado State Patrol.
Focusing on violations, data collected over four years up to 2024 divulges a pattern of the most common breach locations: I-70, Highway 160, Highway 50, Highway 255, and Highway 550. The same source states that I-70, with its mountainous terrain, witnesses a significant share of CMV-related crashes. Analysis of I-70’s runaway truck ramps usage suggests burgeoning concerns about driver inexperience, underlined by the fact that 65% of drivers in such incidents had less than five years behind the wheel.
Confronted with these challenges, Colorado State Patrol has found an ally in the Colorado Department of Transportation, along with the truckers themselves through the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, pushing towards improved road safety. Together, they crafted the Mountain Rules campaign, a concerted effort to school truck operators in the unique art of navigating the undulating and often treacherous mountain roads, "providing important information to help them safely navigate Colorado's mountains," as per Colorado State Patrol.
