Circular, seasonal debate: Studded tires impact Oregon roads

Studded tires are allowed to be in use in the state of Oregon between Nov. 1 and March 31, but Mother Nature has her own calendar for when the roads get snowy and icy.

Many Central Oregonians, in preparation for winter, put their studded tires on before the allowed window is even open, or leave them on well after it ends.

According to Oregon Department of Transportation Region 4 spokesman Peter Murphy, studded tires are really only needed about 1 percent of the time in a given year.

ODOT also says the tires cause nearly $11 million in damage each year.

Murphy said Thursday the impact of the steel on the roads really does a number on the highways.

“We understand that people want to feel safe, and they want to be safe, and we are encouraging people to do that,” Murphy said. “What we would like people to do is use studless tires or delay the use of studded tires as long as possible.”

ODOT says studs really only help for ice, and an all weather tire is far more effective in the snow.

Bend Tire Company said the same thing on Thursday, adding that the rubber compound used in new all-weather tires today is far more effective than studded tires.

Nevertheless, Steven Carpenter of Bend Tire Company said they, along with many other tire shops around Bend, have been putting studs on cars for weeks now.

“Any company can put them on. The customer runs the risk of getting a ticket,” Carpenter said. “So it’s on them, but we can do the work.”

Oregon State Police Captain Bill Fugate said companies can put studs on cars before the window opens, but once a driver leaves the parking lot of the tire shop and is on a public road, then they are in violation of the law.

The fine for driving with studs outside of the window is up to $200. Fugate said they usually won’t ticket someone driving in winter conditions over the pass, as safety is the main priority. But a ticket is more likely if one is driving on studs at lower elevations with bare pavement.

This perennial debate also is the topic of our new KTVZ.COM Poll: Should the fines be raised for use of studded tires before or after the official period – or should they stay at $200, or be removed? Find the poll halfway down the right side of our home page.