The Oregon Administrative Rules contain OARs filed through November 15, 2015
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,
HIGHWAY DIVISION
DIVISION 17
CHAINS OR TRACTION TIRES
734-017-0005
Definitions
(1) As used in OAR 734-017-0005 through 734-017-0025, the following definitions apply:
(a) “Traction Tire”:
(A) Tires with studs including retractable studded tires allowed under ORS 815.165;
(B) Tires marked as mud and snow or all-season radial tires when used on vehicles exempt under ORS 815.145(4); and
(C) Tires identified by the Rubber Manufacturers Association as meeting tests indicating the tire provides greater traction than mud and snow tires under winter driving conditions.
(b) “Chains” -- Link chains, cable chains or another device that attaches to the wheel, vehicle or outside of the tire that is specifically designed to augment the traction of a vehicle under ice or snow conditions.
(c) “Retractable studded tires” are tires with embedded studs of metal or other material that retract to at or below the wear bar of the tire and project not less than four-hundredths (0.04) inch beyond the tread surface of the tire when extended.
(2) As used in ORS 815.165(10), “motor vehicles used for regularly scheduled medical transport services” means a vehicle used for regularly scheduled, point-to-point transportation for medical purposes and is not a vehicle described by either of the following:
(a) A vehicle regulated by a political subdivision under ORS 221.485.
(b) A vehicle, commonly known as a private passenger car or private passenger van, that is used by the owner of the vehicle or a relative of the owner of the vehicle for personal transportation for medical purposes.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 184.616, 184.619 & 815.045
Stats. Implemented: ORS 815.045, 815.140 & 815.165
Hist: 2 HD 15-1981, f. & ef. 11-20-81; HWY 4-1995, f. & cert. ef. 10-17-95; HWY 10-1997(Temp), f. 10-21-97, cert. ef. 11-1-97; TO 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-14-98; HWD 1-2004, f. & cert. ef. 1-20-04; HWD 7-2005, f. & cert. ef. 9-16-05; HWD 6-2008, f. & cert. ef. 7-28-08
734-017-0010
Minimum Chains Required
When signs are posted in accordance with Division 17 rules requiring chains on all or certain classes of vehicles, chains shall be placed as described in this rule. Exhibit 1, Minimum Chains Required, is illustrative of chain placement.
(1) Light duty vehicles -- vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, such as a passenger car or light truck, shall have chains on one tire on each side of the primary drive axle. Chains shall also be placed on a vehicle or trailer being towed as described in section (3) of this rule. Traction tires may be used in place of chains when the vehicle is not towing or being towed.
(2) Medium duty vehicles -- vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds but less than 26,001 pounds such as buses, recreational vehicles, and cargo vehicles:
(a) A single-drive axle medium duty vehicle shall have chains on one tire on each side of the drive axle;
(b) A tandem-drive axle medium duty vehicle shall have chains on:
(A) Two tires on each side of the primary drive axle; or
(B) If both axles are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle; and
(c) A tandem-drive axle medium duty vehicle configured with one single-wheel axle and one dual-wheel axle shall have chains on one tire on each side of the dual-wheel axle. Chains shall also be placed on a vehicle or trailer being towed as described in section (3) of this rule.
(3) A vehicle or trailer towed by a light or medium duty vehicle described in sections (1) or (2) of this rule shall have chains on one tire on each side of one axle if the tow item is equipped with a brake.
(4) Solo commercial vehicles -- vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more that are not towing:
(a) A single-drive axle solo commercial vehicle shall have chains on one tire on each side of the drive axle; and
(b) A tandem-drive axle solo commercial vehicle shall have chains on:
(A) Two tires on each side of the primary drive axle; or
(B) If both axles are powered by the drive line, on one tire on each side of each drive axle.
(5) Commercial vehicles with trailers -- vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more that are towing one or more trailers:
(a) A single-drive axle commercial vehicle towing a trailer shall have chains on two tires on each side of the drive axle and one tire on the front axle and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer;
(b) A single-drive axle commercial vehicle towing a semitrailer shall have chains on two tires on each side of the drive axle and two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the semitrailer;
(c) A single-drive axle commercial vehicle towing both a semitrailer and a trailer shall have chains on two tires on each side of the drive axle, two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the semitrailer, and one tire on the front axle and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer;
(d) A tandem-drive axle commercial vehicle towing a trailer shall have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle, or if both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle. Chains shall also be placed on one tire of the front axle and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer;
(e) A tandem-drive axle commercial vehicle towing a semitrailer shall have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle; or if both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle. Chains shall also be placed on two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the semitrailer;
(f) A tandem-drive axle commercial vehicle towing both a semitrailer and a trailer shall have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle or if both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle. Chains shall also be placed on two tires, one on each side of any axle on the semitrailer and one tire on the front axle and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer; and
(g) A tandem-drive axle commercial vehicle towing a semitrailer and a semitrailer that are connected by kingpin-to-fifth wheel assemblies, commonly referred to as a "B-Train," or connected by kingpin-to-fifth wheel "C-dolly" assemblies, commonly referred to as a "C-Train", shall have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle; or if both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle. Chains shall also be placed on two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the semitrailer at the B-train or C-train connection, and on two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the rear semitrailer.
[ED. NOTE: Exhibits referenced are available from the agency.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 184.616, 184.619 & 815.045
Stats. Implemented: ORS 815.045 & 815.140
Hist: 2 HD 15-1981, f. & ef. 11-20-81; HWY 4-1995, f. & cert. ef. 10-17-95; HWY 1-1996(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 2-14-96; HWY 5-1996, f. & cert. ef. 10-10-96; HWY 1-1997, f. & cert. ef. 2-24-97; HWY 10-1997(Temp), f. 10-21-97, cert. ef. 11-1-97; TO 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-14-98; HWD 7-2005, f. & cert. ef. 9-16-05
734-017-0012
Requirement to Carry Chains or Traction Tires
When chains or traction tires are required to be carried and the appropriate signs are posted, chains or traction tires of sufficient size and number to comply with division 17 rules must be in or on the vehicle.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 184.616, 184.619 & 815.045
Stats. Implemented: ORS 815.045 & 815.140
Hist.: TO 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-14-98; HWD 7-2005, f. & cert. ef. 9-16-05
734-017-0015
Use of Chains or Traction Tires
A Department of Transportation District Manager or persons authorized by a District Manager shall authorize the posting of appropriate signs and determine when weather conditions require the following:
(1) Chains or traction tires must be carried but are not required to be used;
(2) Chains to be used on vehicles with a rated gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 10,000 pounds or less that are towing and single drive axle vehicles with a rated gross vehicle (GVW) over 10,000 pounds.
(3) Chains must be used on vehicles towing or with a rated gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 10,000 pounds;
(4) Chains or traction tires must be used on all vehicles except those vehicles exempt in ORS 815.145 and division 17 rules.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 184.616, 184.619 & 815.045
Stats. Implemented: ORS 815.045 & 815.140
Hist: 2 HD 15-1981, f. & ef. 11-20-81; HWY 4-1995, f. & cert. ef. 10-17-95; HWY 5-1996, f. & cert. ef. 10-10-96; HWY 10-1997(Temp), f. 10-21-97, cert. ef. 11-1-97; TO 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-14-98 HWD 8-2009, f. & cert. ef. 9-29-09
734-017-0020
Vehicles Exempt
In addition to the vehicles described in ORS 815.145, the following vehicles are completely or partially exempt from the provisions of ORS 815.140 and Division 17 rules:
(1) Vehicles operated by the Department of Transportation and used in the maintenance of State Highways are exempt from the provisions of ORS 815.140 and Division 17 rules.
(2) Vehicles operated by a utility company, such as water, power, or heat, when providing emergency response services are exempt from the provisions of ORS 815.140 and Division 17 rules.
(3) Buses that are not towing or being towed, are exempt from the requirement to use chains when chains are required on vehicles over 10,000 GVW if modifications to make the bus fully accessible to passengers with disabilities is the sole reason for the vehicle being rated over 10,000 GVW.
(4) Motorcycles are exempt from the requirement to carry chains or traction tires and may not travel when signs are posted in accordance with Division 17 rules requiring chains or traction tires on all or certain classes of vehicles.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 184.616, 184.619 & 815.045
Stats. Implemented: ORS 815.045 & 815.145
Hist: 2 HD 15-1981, f. & ef. 11-20-81; HWY 4-1995, f. & cert. ef. 10-17-95; HWY 10-1997(Temp), f. 10-21-97, cert. ef. 11-1-97; TO 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-14-98; HWD 7-2005, f. & cert. ef. 9-16-05
734-017-0025
Signs
Signs to be used to post areas requiring “chains” or “chains or traction tires” are shown in detail in Exhibit 2-A, Signing for Post Mounted Signs and Exhibit 2-B, Signing for Variable Message Signs.
[ED. NOTE: Exhibits referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of exhibit(s).]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 184.616, 184.619 & 815.045
Stats. Implemented: ORS 815.045
Hist: 2 HD 15-1981, f. & ef. 11-20-81; HWY 4-1995, f. & cert. ef. 10-17-95; HWY 5-1996, f. & cert. ef. 10-10-96; HWY 10-1997(Temp), f. 10-21-97, cert. ef. 11-1-97; TO 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-14-98; HWD 8-2009, f. & cert. ef. 9-29-09
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