Traction devices required in 175th, Barnes and Cornell snow zones 02/20/18

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Traction devices are required in all three Washington County snow zones due to snow accumulation.

Snow zone locations are as follows:

• 175th Avenue, between Scholls Ferry and Rigert roads.
• Barnes Road, 118th Avenue east to the County line, adjacent to a city of Portland snow zone
• Cornell Road, Cedar Hills Boulevard east to the County line

Traction devices have been required in the 175th Avenue snow zone since Sunday, due to an earlier snow fall and continued slippery conditions.

When driving in these snow zones, motorists are required by law to use traction control devices –including chains, studded tires, Mountain Snowflake tires, winter tires or "tire socks" – on their vehicles or avoid these areas. Traction device violations are a "secondary offense," meaning citations will be issued when motorists are observed violating other traffic laws or driving unsafely. The citations carry a fine of up to $160.

Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation (LUT) is reporting abandoned vehicles to the Washington County Sheriff's Office for possible citations and towing. Abandoned vehicles are a safety hazard. They can impact drivers' line of sight and block snowplows, emergency vehicles and public transit. Citations for abandoned vehicles carry fines of about $110, plus towing costs.

For more information, visit www.snow-zones.com. For the latest weather updates, visit www.wc-roads.com, Twitter or Facebook.

Washington County is committed to planning, building and maintaining a great transportation system, ensuring the safety of all roadway users and operating the County roadway system in cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.

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