By Lake Tahoe News

As soon as it really starts to snow and the tourists come to the South Shore for winter fun, they are going to realize driving on residential streets is no longer a great option.

This is because El Dorado County Board of Supervisors adopted what’s called a Traction Ordinance. It all came about after last winter when visitors to the basin were driving through neighborhoods to get out of town. While that would not have been welcomed under the best of circumstances, they were doing so in snowy/icy conditions without appropriate tires, chains or four-wheel drive.

Phone navigation apps were directing drivers to what technology said would be a short cut, but what in reality became a bit of a nightmare for all involved.

Locals became trapped in their houses, unable to get out because their once quiet street had become gridlock with cars spun out. That short cut for tourists became an ice rink they didn’t bargain for.

The ordinance mandates drivers have traction control devices when necessary. Warning signs have been installed in the Meyers area. They tell motorists that if they lose traction, impede traffic or contribute to an accident, the driver could be liable or cited for towing costs or other California Vehicle Code violations and fines.

What the county hasn’t figured out is how to keep the tourists on the main roads and out of neighborhoods when the roads are dry.