Bracing for winter, the Utah Department of Transportation has amped up its game by enforcing new traction law updates for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Announced to take effect this season, the initiative is a proactive step towards enhancing road safety amid snow and storms. The legislation, HB 196, plays a pivotal role in this change, arming UDOT with the authority to implement traction requirements up to a full day before a storm is set to hit, offering motorists a head start for preparations.
In a move to toughen up on traction compliance, the administrative rule now includes a "Class Three" designation, which kicks in during major storms. This calls for vehicles traversing the Cottonwood Canyons to be equipped with a minimum of 5/32 inch of tire tread. Law enforcement agencies have been given the green light to slap citations on those who skirt the traction regulations. According to UDOT News, Region Two Director Robert Stewart stated, "Our new, enhanced traction requirements are all about safety. These updates make sure drivers have the right equipment before heading into the canyons, even if a storm rolls in while they're parked. We hope this gives everyone more peace of mind knowing they, and the drivers around them, are ready for winter conditions."
Aiding in the transition to these beefed-up standards, UDOT reintroduces the Cottonwood Canyons Sticker Program. This complimentary initiative invites drivers to have their winter tires inspected at over 140 tire shops spread across the Wasatch Front and Back, with services available from Nov. 13 to Feb. 28 of 2026. Launched initially in 2021, the program has garnered positive feedback, with a staggering 86% of surveyed participants noticing an uptick in properly equipped vehicles in the canyon, while 71% believe that enforcement is streamlining canyon travel.
