Ready to hit the slopes for a nice ski weekend? Not so fast. If HB19-1207 were to pass, you’ll have to make sure your vehicle’s tires and traction control are up to the state’s standards to travel on roads built with your tax dollars.
HB19-1207 would set additional standards for you to be able to drive on a part of I-70 from September 1 through May 31.
In the event of a storm, if you don’t have tire chains, four-wheel or all-wheel drive with at least three-sixteenths of an inch tread, or have the proper rated tires, you aren’t going anywhere.
Closing a road because of dangerous conditions is one thing, but holding vehicles to a high standard for a stretch of road with changing conditions becomes too tedious and will most likely have a negligible impact on accidents.
The more control the state has over your everyday life, the more they can regulate it, which typically turns into you having to pay more to abide by the states standards, pay more in fees, or pay more in fines.
Be prepared for all conditions !
I am torn on this one. Having been in auto repair, seeing a lot of work coming from winter accidents; being a driver and seeing/barely missing involvement, etc., as well as having a family to think of…1. I fully understand the need for being prepared for the worst. Yes, the preparations are costly, however it can save the money, excess cost of recovery and down time….and God forbid you don’t have to realize the hard way that nothing can replace a lost life from not having safe equipment. A vehicle is a machine, but it can only operate within it’s limitations. ON the other hand…
2. It feels like wanting more control. Micro managing. In SOME very particular aspects such as this, it seems they are forcing sales of more products, services and required but not supplied extras. Insurance is the perfect example and basically what these other required things are.
The bottom line is you have to weigh the costs against each other – both are a risk in their own way. Not having safe enough equipment to drive a road is a risk to yourself, passengers and other vehicles on the road. It’s one I personally try to avoid taking. I’m not saying I never was in a position where I felt I had to, but that’s one reason I look at it this way: Is it worth it to me, my family and the other people out there for me to decide they can share the risk of me not having good enough tires, chains if necessary, or mechanical issues in the name of my freedom to chose….is that part of my right? Or is it my responsibility as a fellow driver to watch out for the safety of the aforementioned group? Not to mention the costs of services when an incident occurs – that’s a whole ‘nother bank roll I could wind up paying. Fines to boot. Driving classes, SR22s..the list seems to never stop if you are the person that caused it. I’d rather not be. So, I guess I personally agree with it. Don’t mistake. I am a Conservative. I ‘m Non Affiliated. I don’t feel either side in Colorado Gov stands for me and you very often. This is one of those rare occasions.
Exactly how will that be enforced? Checkpoints, taking LEOs off of needed detail? Civilian goon safety squad? Should one bring their papers as if they were passing checkpoint Charlie?
Will the roads be maintained to OUR standards keeping them safe for OUR vehicles?
Look…I understand the impetus behind it…but honestly…you can’t legislate stupidity into intelligence, not laziness into responsibility. So…if someone wrecks, causes a wreck, etc and their vehicle wasn’t maintained properly or properly fitted out for the weather, cite them and charge them for all resources spent on top of making them at fault so their insurance has to pay and their premiums go up. We ALREADY have mechanisms to hold people accountable so do it and stop passing unenforceable laws that make it look like the legislature is anything other than impotent. I’m tired of the arrogance of the nanny state we are becoming.
Communist crap.