Many mountain roads are covered in ice and snow. Avoid driving whenever possible.

By Michael P. Neufeld

UPDATE – Wednesday, February 15 – 6:44 p.m.

Lake Arrowhead, CA – The California Highway Patrol is reporting some roads leading into the Lake Arrowheads area are unpassable at this time. There are countless traffic collisions being reported including one 8 vehicle accident on Bear Springs Road near Rimforest.

Numerous vehicle have reportedly slid off the road or have become stuck in snow while attempting to reach the Lake Arrowhead area.

Motorists are urged to always carry chains and use extreme caution on icy roadways.

UPDATE – Wednesday, February 15 – 4:22 p.m.

Mountain Communities, CA -Winter conditions are present in the mountain communities. Certain state highways may have chain controls in place and some are being moved lower.

Slow down and arrive at your destination safely.

HIGHWAY 18

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH
SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM THE JCT OF SR 138 TO THE SAN BERNARDINO NAT’L
FOREST

HIGHWAY 38

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH
SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 3 MI WEST OF MILL CREEK RANGER STATION TO
BIG BEAR DAM

HIGHWAY 138

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH
SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM PILOT ROCK RD TO THE EAST JCT OF SR 18

HIGHWAY 173

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES
WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM THE JCT OF SR 189 TO THE JCT OF
SR 18

HIGHWAY 189

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES
WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM THE JCT OF SR 18 TO THE JCT OF
SR 173

HIGHWAY 330

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW
TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 2 MI SOUTH OF RUNNING SPRINGS TO RUNNING SPRINGS

I-15

THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL IS PACING TRAFFIC FROM THE JCT OF SR 138 TO
3 MI NORTH OF THE JCT OF SR 138 /CAJON PASS - DUE TO SNOW

TYPES OF CHAIN CONTROLS

During the winter months, motorists may encounter traction chain controls in the mountain areas. When chain controls are established by CalTrans and/or the California Highway Patrol, signs will be posted along the road indicating the type of requirement. There are three requirements in California.

Requirement One (R1): Chains, traction devices or snow tires are required on the drive axle of all vehicles except four wheel/ all wheel drive vehicles.

Requirement Two (R2): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four wheel/ all wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels.
(NOTE: Four wheel/all wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas.)

Requirement Three (R3): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

SNOW TIRES

The California vehicle code section 558 defines a snow-tread tire as follows, ” A ‘Snow-tread tire’ is a tire which has a relatively deep and aggressive tread pattern compared with conventional passenger tread pattern”. Snow-tread tires can be identified by examining the sidewall of the tire where the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words MUD AND SNOW have been stamped into the sidewall.