Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Information on Driving in Winter
Winter Driving in South Lake Tahoe
With winter fast approaching, perhaps now is the time to review some of the challenges of driving in South Lake Tahoe during snow conditions and while snow removal operations are occurring.
When do snow removal conditions exist? For the City of South Lake Tahoe, it starts when four inches of snow has accumulated on the street. The large, baby blue snowplows start their work of clearing the approximately 120 miles of roadway within the city limits. This can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours so visitors and residents should be patient. The time needed to clear the streets can be longer if vehicles are left on the street in such a manner as to impede the progress of the snowplows.
South Lake Tahoe City Code Section 26-40 states that any time snow removal operations are in effect, vehicles shall not be left stopped, parked, abandoned or otherwise unattended on any street in the city. This does not prohibit the stopping of passenger vehicles to load or unload passengers. Snow removal operations shall be deemed to be in effect until the full width of the street right of way has been restored. Vehicles left in the above-described manner may be cited and or towed. Police department Community Service Officers will be on duty from 7 am until approximately 2 am to assist snowplow drivers with citing and/or towing offending vehicles. For the winter season of 2004-2005 the citation fine for parking on the street during snow removal operations is $102.00. If your vehicle is towed, obviously more fees may be incurred.
Visitors and residents should also be aware that South Lake Tahoe City Code Section 26-2 prohibits any sledding, skiing or ice-skating on any city street. The city code also prohibits persons from placing, pushing, blowing, dumping or otherwise relocating snow onto any street in the city. (SLTCC Section 26-46)
Starting January 1, 2004 until November 26, 2004, there were 282 reported traffic collisions in the City of South Lake Tahoe. As November 26, 2004 is the 331st day of the year, that averages less than one collision a day. However, in the 132-day period from November 20, 2003 to March 31, 2004 there were 268 reported traffic collisions. An average of a little over two collisions a day. Why the change in the numbers? We may surmise with one word. Snow.
Snow and snow driving conditions can be tiring, demanding and draining at best. It can be deadly at its worst. One of the easiest ways to avoid becoming a statistic is to slow down during snowy and icy conditions. A vehicle travels approximately 1.5 feet per second per mile per hour. For example, a vehicle traveling 30 miles per hour is traveling approximately 45 feet per second. For those of you with Little League aged children, that is the distance from the pitcher’s mound to home plate at the Little League Field.
Slowing down is paramount. Leaving a space cushion to the vehicle in front of and beside you is important. The average braking distance for a vehicle traveling 20 miles per hour on dry pavement is approximately 30 feet. When loosely packed snow is added to the mixture the distance increases to over 50 feet. On ice at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the distance is almost 200 feet.
Four-wheel drive will not help you stop. Having tire chains on your front wheels, (the majority of braking occurs with the front wheels) will help marginally. Four wheel drive and tire chains are traction devices. They help a vehicle move from a standing start. In loosely packed snow, a vehicle equipped with snow tires will start approximately 51% better than a vehicle with regular tires. Tire chains will assist approximately 300%.
Driving during snow conditions need not be traumatic. Remembering a few simple rules will go a long way in making your winter driving experience a pleasant one. Most important, allow plenty of time for your drive. Whether it is a drive around the corner to the store or across town to work or over the summits; allow yourself extra time. Weather and road conditions change rapidly and can effect your drive.
Be a little more observant. Visibility is often limited in winter by weather conditions. Slow down and watch for other vehicles and snow removal equipment. Even though the snowplows have flashing lights, visibility may be so restricted during a storm that it is difficult to see the slow-moving equipment.
During snow removal operations, snowplows are exempt from some of the rules of the road. You may find them backing up in the same traffic lane in which they were just moving forward. Stay back at least 100 feet. In the city limits, while conducting snow removal operations, Cal Trans moves the snow into the center turn lane that travels the length of US 50 (Lake Tahoe Boulevard) and State Route 89 (Emerald Bay Road). Most vehicles cannot cross the snow berm left by Cal Trans. Do not try to cross over or through the berm. If your vehicle becomes stuck, it may be towed as a hazard.
All of us at the South Lake Tahoe Police Department want the residents of and the visitors to the City of South Lake Tahoe to have a safe traveling experience no matter what the season. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions regarding travel in and around the City of South Lake Tahoe.
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