Letter: Keep cars without proper traction out of the canyons
(Suzanne Paylor | The Salt Lake Tribune) Motorists have trouble driving in Little Cottonwood Canyon during a storm on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019.
The article “Utah ski opener prompts a traffic ordeal” in Tuesday’s Salt Lake Tribune accurately described what happens precisely because UDOT’s traction laws are not enforced.
It appears that the Unified Police Department would rather deal with the accidents and slide-offs that occurred Friday than keep improperly equipped vehicles out of the canyons in the first place.
If the traction laws were enforced every time there was a storm, then the backups at the mouths of the canyons would decrease because those drivers whose vehicles lack proper tires would find other means of transportation. In addition, the National Weather Service’s Cottonwood Canyons forecast provides accurate information that UDOT should use to activate its traction laws.
David Zangrilli, Sandy
Submit a letter to the editor
sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.
Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.
You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.