| Show II Highway Department Has Hast t No Plans to Lift Stud Ban There are no plans to lift the ban on studded snow tires according to Clem Church r chairman of the Utah State Road Commission In fact Mr Church said Lifting the ban would violate the Intent of the I Legislature To clarify the Commissions Commission's role in carrying out the intent of the Legislature Legisla Legisla- ture Chairman Church last week sought a legal opinion from the Attorney Generals General's office That opinion was Issued Monday Monday Monday Mon Mon- day by Assistant Attorney General General General Gen Gen- eral Mark Madsen According to Mr Madsen the Commission Commission Commission Commis Commis- sion can only permit the use of studded tires so long as they do not cause significant damage to Utah highways Because the Road Commission has deter deter- mined that there has been significant significant significant sig sig- damage the Commission Commission Commission Commis Commis- sion has no further authority other than to support the legislative ban on the use of such tires The legislative statute passed in 1966 by the Utah State Senate Senate Senate Sen Sen- ate made no special provisions The law specifically stated that no tire Ure on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block stud flange cleat or spike or any other protuberance of any material material material ma ma- other than rubber which project beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire Several new designs are being employed In the manufacture of studded snow tires including a new plastic stud A snow tire that employs a series of steel coils colls has also been In use several sever sever- al years ears None of these winter tires are legal under Utah law Until such time as new evidence evi evidence evidence evi- evi dence Is presented documenting a significant decrease in pavement pavement pavement pave pave- ment wear by studded tires Ures there can be no change in Commission Commission Commission Com Com- mission policy |
