Stacey Stegman, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation, said laws requiring semi tractor-trailers to have chains on their trucks were in effect when the 70-car pileup on I-70 ocurred Monday afternoon.
“It’s very common for chain laws to be in affect on Vail Pass this time of year,” Stegman said.
The State Patrol is still investigating the pile-up and has not said whether the semi that jack-knifed had chains on.
Stegman said putting the chains on is cumbersome and time-consuming and some truck drivers either don’t have chains with them or don’t take the time to put them on.
Colorado laws require tractor-trailers to have chains with them between Sept. 30 and May 31. They were required Monday because of blowing snow and icy road conditions, Stegman said.
The chains prevent tractor-trailers from jackknifing and getting stuck in snowy, icy conditions, she said.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
