Avoid Being a 'Chain Runner' on Highway 50 During Lake Tahoe Snowstorms

Highways being closed and chains being required can be inconvenient for those traveling into the Sierra Nevada following a major snowstorm, but officials are asking drivers to comply with these restrictions and avoid taking unauthorized routes.

On Tuesday, the California Highway Patrol Placerville branch shared on Xwarning drivers on Highway 50to refrain from seeking other paths when the road is blocked.

There are no hidden side roads. From our region, U.S. 50 is the only maintained path," the post stated. "If it's congested or has chains, there's no alternative route. Your GPS might direct you to risky forest roads.

Officer Ruth Loehr from the CHP South Lake Tahoe office mentioned that individuals who use side roads to bypass road closures or chain restrictions—or just pass through chain check points—are referred to as "chain runners." These people are not rare.

"I would say (it occurs) at least once each time we conduct chain controls," Loehr stated.

Disregarding control systems can lead to significant consequences

On Friday morning, CHP South Lake Tahoeprevented a large tractor-trailer from traveling on Highway 88to prevent chain control, as stated in a Facebook post.

Loehr mentioned she wasn't sure about the driver's reasons, but suggested that the truck might have turned back at the Meyers Highway 50 checkpoint and opted for Highway 88 - a route not authorized for trucks.

When the CHP reached it, the large truck was pulled over, as it was not safe to keep moving.

"That never ends well, as it's certainly not a path suitable for large trucks," Loehr stated.

As per Loehr, a tow bill may represent one of the priciest outcomes for a driver who bypasses a road closure or traffic control measures.

During major winter storms such as the one experienced this week, the California Department of Transportation collaborates with the CHP to carry out chain control enforcement operations.

If a vehicle passes a Caltrans chain checkpoint and is evidently unsafe for restricted roads, or if it is observed taking a side road after turning around, highway officials have the authority to stop it. The highway patrol cannot issue fines, but it can arrange for a vehicle to be towed if it fails to meet chain control safety standards.

In the Sierra Nevada, trailer fees can be extremely high, Loehr stated.

Two companies are paid by the hour," she said. "If they need to travel to Alpine County, that's an hour away ... Allow them a good 30–40 minutes at the scene to load the car onto the flatbed ... and then an hour to return, they are compensated for the entire duration.

Loehr mentioned that individuals who frequently use the chain route are typically local mountain residents or drivers who feel their vehicle can handle the journey without the necessary all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or tire chains. Usually, these drivers don't think the road is as hazardous as officials claim.

People don't understand because the chain control is located in one place, and then about 20 yards ahead of it, there's black pavement," Loehr said. "But as soon as you take a turn, like in Alpine County, as soon as you go around the curve, you're immediately facing bad weather and difficult road conditions.

Avoid attempting to bypass highway restrictions, according to specialists.

With chain controls and road closures, traffic on mountain highways often becomes congested. Even though a GPS application might recommend taking side roads, Loehr advised staying on the main route.

Alternate paths often go through suburban areas, which can get more congested than main roads and might be even riskier.

As per Loehr, local streets are not kept in the same condition as highways and frequently feature sharp, elevated landscapes. Moreover, when an application such as Apple Maps or Google Maps recommends a new route, it is also directing every other driver on the road.

"You're not the only one intelligent enough to believe you can avoid either chain control or all the delays, including the long lines that are occurring," Loehr stated.

Extended queues of vehicles traveling along tight residential streets may result in vehicles becoming stuck, residents being unable to leave, and emergency services being impeded during critical incidents.

Loehr mentioned that the CHP and other highway agencies have attempted to persuade GPS systems to remove back road routes from their calculations during storm conditions, but they have not been willing to cooperate.

The highway patrol is legally unable to restrict neighborhood roads to residents only, so Loehr strongly recommends that drivers remain on the highway during heavy traffic.

People aren't paying attention," she stated. "If they were, they'd realize (the GPS) is directing you to a neighborhood, and it's returning you to Highway 50, or Highway 89, or whatever it's called, since that's the only way out of town.