WY22 Safe Pass enforcement begins today

JACKSON, Wyo. – With the newly uncovered white and black signs now visible along the Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass corridor, the WY22 Safe Pass program is now legally enforceable under Wyoming Statute 24-1-109.

“Beyond fines and statutory penalties, we want to make one thing clear: ignoring these safety materials and warnings could put your life, or someone else’s, at risk,” said Wyoming Highway Patrol Captain Marc Russell. “Whether you commute over the pass every day or are just traveling through, take a few minutes to review the materials.”

First announced in September, WY22 Safe Pass is a self-certification program to improve driver awareness of the challenges of mountain pass driving; since the soft launch period started Sept. 21, about 1,841 drivers have already self-certified.

The self-certification process takes about 10 minutes and requires the driver to review some simple safety materials, including videos, maps and braking information, before self-certifying through a series of acknowledgements.

The following vehicles are included in the program scope and thus subject to potential fines and citations outlined in statute after Oct. 1:

· Recreational vehicles

· Any type of vehicle towing a trailer

· Vehicles or vehicle combinations with a gross vehicle weight combination or gross vehicle weight rating 10,000 pounds or more.

Drivers will also see new regulatory white and black signs instructing drivers to check brakes at designated opportunities.

All other legal restrictions on Teton Pass will still apply, such as the 60,000-pound weight restriction and any other seasonal closures or restrictions to trailer traffic.

If you cannot complete the self-certification and are driving a vehicle that falls into the categories listed above, you are not permitted to drive the pass and must take an alternative route.

While all drivers are encouraged to review the materials, it’s not required for every vehicle type at this time. However, all drivers in all vehicle types can continue to do their part in making Teton Pass safer by wearing a seat belt, slowing down and obeying posted speeds, using a lower gear when descending steep grades, and putting down their phone and paying attention to their surroundings.

Drivers can self-certify for WY22 Safe Pass at https://safepass.wyoroad.info/.

 

For more road and travel updates, drivers can sign up for 511 Notify alerts at https://www.wyoroad.info/511/511NotifyAnnouncement.html

A recently installed sign on WY22/Teton Pass lets drivers know about the new self-certification program. WYDOT photo.

-30-

For information about this news release, contact WYDOT District 3 Public Relations Specialist Stephanie Harsha at 307-352,3000 or stephanie.harsha@wyo.gov.