Time to remove studded tires

RITZVILLE — If you haven’t yet removed your studded tires, it’s time to do so.

The deadline to remove studded tires is today, Friday, March 31, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The Washington State Patrol will begin issuing tickets on Saturday, April 1. The fine for having studded tires on a vehicle after the removal deadline is $137.

Studded tires are legal in the state from Nov. 1 to March 31. Even out-of-state motorists must have them removed outside of that window.

“Studded tires cause between $20-$29 million in damage to state-owned roads in Washington each winter and also damage city and county roads,” Transportation Maintenance Operations Manager James Morin said.