Washington's Tough Choice: Studded Tires or Safe Roads?

Washington state is thinking about saying goodbye to studded tires. These tires have metal spikes that help drivers grip icy roads. But, they also cause a lot of damage to the roads. The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) says these tires cost the state over $20 million in road repairs every year. Right now, drivers pay $5 for each studded tire. The WSTC wants to raise that to $50 and eventually ban them. This isn't the first time Washington has tried to do this. They've attempted to ban studded tires before, in 1984 and again in 2019. The 2019 plan would have increased the fee to $100 per tire and banned them completely by 2025. But it didn't pass. The WSTC has been studying this for a long time. They found that studded tires dig into the pavement, creating grooves and even holes. This makes roads less safe, especially when it rains. Water can get into these grooves and cause hydroplaning. The problem is, studded tires work well on snowy and icy roads. The metal studs give drivers the traction they need. But when used on clear roads, they cause even more damage. Some drivers say they won't be able to drive safely in winter without them. Others think the ban is a good idea. Several other states have already banned studded tires, including Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas. Washington is now trying to decide if it's time to do the same.