JACKSON, Wyo. — Self-certification for the new Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Teton Pass safe driving program opened on Sept. 21. The certification, which WYDOT encourages all drivers of Teton Pass to complete, is required for all drivers operating vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds, driving recreational vehicles (RVs) and towing trailers.
Drivers will be required to complete the certification every year. All are encouraged to certify on the WYDOT Safe Pass program website.
Starting Oct. 1, if those drivers have not received the Safe Pass certification, they will not be permitted to drive the pass and will be required to take an alternative route.
“We encourage all drivers who plan to travel Teton Pass to get certified early online, in order to avoid queuing at available pullouts or any delays on their day of travel,” District 3 Engineer Peter Stinchcomb said in a press release.
If an RV is over 10,000 pounds and the driver fails to observe posted signs, markers or warnings, they can be charged with a misdemeanor and could be subject to a fine of up to $750. Vehicles that weigh over 60,000 pounds, which is a violation of the weight-based pass restriction, could owe up to $1,000 in fines. Penalties are outlined in Wyoming Statute 24-1-109.
“Beyond the potential citations and fines, drivers who do not take the educational materials seriously could be putting themselves and others at risk through brake failure or other serious hazards,” WYDOT shared in a press release.
Everyone on Teton Pass can play a part in collective safety by wearing a seat belt, slowing down and obeying speed limits, using lower gears when descending steeper sections and putting down cell phones to pay attention to surroundings.
