Lawmakers OK tire socks for traction in snow

OLYMPIA — Tire socks are fabric covers that slip over wheels to give drivers better traction in the snow. They originated in Scandinavia and now they may roll on Washington highways. State Sen. Tracey Eide of Federal Way sponsored a bill that passed the Legislature Thursday to add tire socks to the list of traction devices allowed on state roadways, along with studded tires and chains. Eide says tire socks cause less harm to pavement.