Changes to snowmobile Regulations affect you!

The laws governing snowmobiling have changed drastically in the last five years. So many changes have happened to the sport of snowmobiling in the last few years, better trails, improved and more reliable snowmobiles, and stronger organizations directing the sport.

It is about time the laws have caught up to the changes.

Bill 101 was introduced at its first reading June 20, 2000 and has since passed and become law with many changes to the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act. The Bill was introduced to promote snowmobile trail sustainability and enhance safety and enforcement.

The Minister of Tourism, The Honorable C. Jackson, introduced this Bill.

One of the first changes to snowmobiling as a result of these new laws was that all snowmobiles would be required to have a trail permit while on designated trails (Section 2.1 (1) Motorized Snow Vehicles Act).

In the past this was a trespassing offence. Now anyone failing to have a trail permit will receive a fine from between $200 and $1,000.

This change to the law means no more free rides. Enforcing the use of trail permits will guarantee the survival of this sport.

The snowmobilers who use the 1,100 kilometers of groomed trails in Durham Region and 45,000 kms throughout the province will have to pay their share of the building, maintenance, and repair costs of these trails.

To detour people from running from the police and S.T.O.P. (Snowmobile Trail Officer Patrol) officers, there has been some changes to the wording in the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act. Changes such as the driver of a snowmobile is required to carry with him or her their driver's licence, snowmobile operators licence, and the snowmobile ownership at all times.

They must also stop when directed by d police officer and produce those documents.

The new law has brought into effect that if a person fails to stop for police they could be fined $1,000 to $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to six months. The driver could also have his driver' licence suspended for up to five years on the first conviction. If death or injury occurs as a result of a pursuit the driver could lose his or her licence for life. Sec. 17.1 (4) MSVA.

The wording in the new law has also changed to state that the snowmobile must be insured rather than the person driving it. This mean, the driver must have proof of insurance with him at all times while operating a snowmobile.

There is a new offence for driving a snowmobile while your licence is under suspension. Sec. 17.1 (11) MSVA.

The Highway Traffic Act Sec.54 has also been amended so that your driver's licence may be suspended for MSVA (Motorized Snow Vehicles Act) offences.