This year for the first time, there is a brand new rule being put into place in Utah by the Utah Department of Transportation concerning 2-wheel and 4-wheel-drive cars and requirements for snow tires.
Two-wheel drive vehicles will be allowed on weather-restricted canyon roads if those vehicles have certain rated tires. "It's a new option for drivers of front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive vehicles to be able to utilize certain mountain roadways within the state," said Sgt. Street. Drivers will know if they have the right tire if it has a three-peak mountain snowflake logo on it.
The new UDOT rule went into effect on Sept. 1, 2019. This week's storm probably isn't strong enough to cause weather-related road restrictions in Utah canyons, but when the time comes, drivers will need to be aware of the change.
The change does not affect vehicles with four-wheel or all-wheel drive, but applies to all two-wheel drive vehicles under 12,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight.
- Four-wheel drive cars driving in certain canyon areas have an M+S (all season) designation or a 3-peak Mountain Snowflake designation;
- Two-wheel drive cars under 12,000 pounds gross weight have the 3-peak Mountain Snowflake designation.
 
