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Finally, some snow is on the way!

For those of you who are not familiar with driving in the mountains during chain control, here are a few pointers:

• They usually initiate chain control early, at a location where you don't need chains yet but where there is a convenient place to put them on. Often at these locations you will also find a few local chain installers who, for a fee, will install your chains for you.
• Usually, when chain control is in effect, it applies to ALL vehicles except those with 4WD and certified snow tires on all four wheels. However, if they're having a hard time keeping up with plowing, chain control can be applied to ALL vehicles.
• If chain control is in effect, please install your chains at the earliest convenient location to pull off the highway. Highway 4 only has 2 lanes, there are not many places to pull out, and they don't plow past the edge of the pavement. If you try to wait until you actually need the chains to install them, you may find yourself trying to do it in the middle of the highway. You may also find yourself sliding sideways down the highway wishing there were chains on your tires.
• Locals have a number of colorful phrases to describe people who stop in the middle of the highway to put on chains or who end up sliding down the highway because they decided to chance it... none of these phrases are very charitable. Keep in mind that if an accident happens, it can take a long time to get a tow truck up the 2 lane road to the site.
• When it comes time to make the decision, bear in mind that while installing chains is inconvenient, it is not nearly as inconvenient as dealing with you vehicle upside down in a ditch.
• Be patient and be prepared for delays. This always applies when driving in the mountains, but particularly so when driving in the snow. Don't tailgate, flash your high beams, or otherwise try to be in a hurry or hurry others. Here again, getting to your destination late may be inconvenient but not so much as sliding off the road or sliding into the car in front of you.

joe