in fact REQUIRED in many states for high risk and mountainous regions. And that CAN include passenger cars already equipped with traction control and SNOW-RATED all weather radial tires (note only SOME all weather radial tires ARE snow-rated). If treads are insufficient, even 4WD can be required to have chains in certain conditions. Every year my snow-rated radial tires are checked for tread (Toyota Prius) and I watch the video as to how I would install those chains on the side of the highway or other difficult area under heavy snow and wind. Fortunately, I've never had to do so yet, even though I've been caught in difficult conditions on I-70 and I-25 in Colorado. But, if you think only states in the west have such requirement, North Carolina and some other states east of the Rockies do TOO.
All of these states require chains under some conditions and in some areas:
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/tire-chain-laws-by-state
BTW, your blanket statement about CITIES also is wrong. I-25 through Denver is likewise subject to the chain law under SOME circumstances.
Tire Chain Laws by State 2026
Lest anyone think this is just a "nicety" and one can talk their way out of it if pulled over because you have a truck or SUV with or without 4WD or an expensive passenger car with all weather radials, a series of serious wrecks on I-25 and I-70 that have closed the interstates for long distances for hours and ended up in a series of rebound wrecks, have caused Colorado's and other states' legislature to increase penalties for failure to follow laws requiring chains and other measures. You could be out hundreds of dollars in fines and points on your license in some states. This is serious. No, chains are NOT a thing of the past!!!!
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