roommate = it'll be fine

If you don't want to deal with this, just book first class. Coach is a free-for-all.

also r/lostredditors this is not AITA this is the state of Washington...

You don't think crashing your car is enough of a monetary penalty? Slapping a fine on top is going to do nothing to change behavior. And the people aware of the theoretical fine are not likely the one's who "need a talking to".

Instead, mandatory checkpoints could be the expectation at this point. Normally I'm not a fan of that type of government oversight, but the general public and even professional truck drivers simply cannot be trusted. And, as you point out, keeping the pass open is a team effort and critical infrastructure. In heavy snow conditions, they should simply have a toll-booth style "every single one of y'all need chains on at least 2 tires".

They need to end the exemption for AWD vehicles. AWD doesn't help you turn or stop. Winter tires or chains are the only way.

They also could crack down on deceptive marketing of new AWD vehicles drifting through multiple feet of fresh powder with taglines like "power through your winter getaways". These are the same vehicles that come with 4 rock-hard fuel-saving highway tires that nobody bothers to inspect, change, or even inflate in the first few years of ownership.

"extremely predatory"? You signed a legal contract guaranteeing you'd stay there for at least one year, and now you're dipping out early. What is the landlord supposed to do, congratulate you on your new job and eat the costs?

If I were you, I would sublease for the remaining months. Or, if the lease doesn't allow sublets, just don't tell them haha. This works better when your tenant is trustworthy to keep things below radar.