Oregon Public Broadcasting

It's November – and in Oregon, that means studded tires are legal again.

Sunday was the first day drivers could have the metal-tipped snow tires on their cars.

Ethan Lindsey reports from Bend.

To some drivers in snowy parts of the state, it's practically a regional holiday.

The lines at tire stores are especially long – and you start to hear clack-clack-clacking on the road.

That's in spite of a report from 2000 that found studded tires cost the state $7 million per year in additional road maintenance.

Gail Achterman: "It certainly is not on our legislative agenda to go after the issue again."

Gail Achterman is the chair of the state's Transportation Commission.

Gail Achterman: "I will say though that I really would urge people to purchase studless tires, because there is absolutely no question that when people drive studded tires, they contribute to accelerated deterioration of our roads and bridges."

Drivers will be able to keep the studded tires on their cars until April 1.