Council Supports Tire Chain Restrictions
Wednesday, May 23 2012
A proposal to restrict chain use on Unalaska’s paved roadways generated some controversy at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. The ordinance only allows truck-trailers to use chains on days when the Director of Public Safety or the Roads Chief deem them necessary.
That idea was not popular with truck drivers, several of whom testified at the meeting that the restrictions would imperil safety - both the drivers’ and the public’s. Here’s Doug Leggett.
“The question you have to ask yourself is how comfortable do you feel driving down that icy road when that truck coming towards you... you’re going to ask yourself does he have chains on or not. Did you take that tool out of the drivers’ hands?”
Public Safety deputy chief Mike Holman assured councilors that the department would err on the side of safety when making decisions about chain use. A 24-hour hotline would be created to inform drivers whether chains are permitted or not.
Ultimately, Council voted unanimously to approve the changes. The ordinance will come up for a second reading and public hearing on June 4.
Joseph Smith on Thursday, May 24 2012:
It actually only applies to tractor-trailer rigs.
Michael Warren on Thursday, May 24 2012:
So they are willing to put our children on a school bus that the driver has no control over whether or not he/she needs to have chains on? This is why the buses have Auto Chains. So they are only in use when needed, and do not tear up the road. Outfit these trucks with auto chains and the problem goes away.