(a) It is lawful to use metal studded tires with studs protruding not more than one-sixteenth inch (1/16") from the surface of the rubber tread on motor vehicles operated on the public highways of this state during the period from November 15 of each year until April 15 of the following year.
(b) If the United States Congress shall enact legislation, or if any agency of the federal government shall adopt regulations prohibiting the use of metal studded tires on motor vehicles operated on the public highways, the provisions of this section authorizing the use of metal studded tires shall terminate. Thereafter, it shall be unlawful to use metal studded tires on vehicles operated on the public highways of this state at any time.
(c)
(1) It is unlawful for any person to operate any motor vehicle equipped with metal studded tires upon the highways of this state at any time other than the period prescribed in subsection (a) of this section.
(2) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00).