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By Nicole Reis

Snowmobile Kids

Snowmobiling to school may present problems for city and parents

Jan 30, 2020 | 6:18 PM

Recent reports of high school students snowmobiling to Carpenter High School came up at the council meeting on Monday where Coun. Richard Levesque inquired about snowmobiling bylaws within city limits.

“Concerning students driving snowmobiles to school, I want to make it clear that I’m not inferring that anything inappropriate was done in this instance. Concerning safety and liability issues, I would hope the bylaw officer and the RCMP are vigilant in checking all machines operating within the city, ensuring all operators have valid licences and plates,” Levesque said at the meeting.

“Even though there are some signs posted, there are some snowmobilers that can’t seem to read and are using the running track and walking path at the regional park and there are also tracks through the Jubilee School property. Snowmobiles should be staying on the roadways,” he added.

City Manager Diana Burton told meadowlakeNOW snowmobile use is regulated through the traffic bylaw set by the municipality and provincial legislation.

“The province says if you’re operating a snowmobile on a road, it needs to be registered and the driver needs to have a driver’s licence,” Burton said.

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Section 18 of the City Traffic bylaw states: “Subject to the provisions contained in The Snowmobile Act and The Traffic Safety Act, it shall be lawful to operate a snowmobile between the hours of 7:00 am and 11:00 pm on any public highway except Provincial Highways 4 and 55, within the limits of the municipality, Monday to Saturday inclusive, and between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Sunday.”

“Realistically, if students are snowmobiling to school, if they are operating their snowmobile on a city road coming to school, our requirement would be that the snowmobile is registered and the driver has a valid driver’s licence, that’s not just our requirement, it’s the province’s requirement,” Burton said.

Underage Operators

Jerry Jemieff, a certified safety instructor with the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association told meadowlakeNOW young snowmobile drivers between the ages of 12 to 15, must be accompanied by an adult and must hold a safety certificate to ride. If riders do not have a certificate, the rider could be subject to a $130 fine per snowmobile if caught on public property.

“Unfortunately, if kids are under the age of 12 and driving on private property, there isn’t a lot of regulation that they have to follow. However, if they are going to a public place, that changes regulations,” he said.

According to Jemieff if students do not have a driver’s licence or a safety certificate and are parking sleds close to schools or in school yards, the schools and parents could be liable for the actions of the child.

Jamieff added if a student has a driver’s licence and is over 16 years old, there is no issue aside from abiding by city traffic laws. Students who are 16 years old will simply need to possess a driver’s licence.

“If you’re 12 years or older and if you were born Jan. 1, 1989 or after you can drive a snowmobile, provided you have a certified snowmobile certificate with the supervision of a parent or guardian,” he said. “Municipalities are a little different but all cities, towns and villages within the province of Saskatchewan prohibited snowmobiles within city limits, with the exception of Yorkton.”

The safety instructor said Yorkton hosts a provincial snowmobile festival weekend and has an exemption for inner-city snowmobiling.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722