Conservation officers stepping up enforcement on snowmobile trails

Provincial conservation officers have stepped up patrols on Island snowmobile trails after receiving complaints from members of the P.E.I. Snowmobile Association.

WadeMacKinnon, manager of investigation and enforcement with the Department of Justice and Public Safety,saidcompliance with regulations around snowmobile and trail use is low, and it irks those who do follow the rules.

"Their [P.E.I. Snowmobile Association] members are frustrated with the lack of compliance, they are paying for passes, registering their machinesand they have a number of people using these trails that their membership is paying for grooming and people are taking advantage of it," he said.

MacKinnon said in the past six weeks, officers have conducted 271 stopsand 35 violations have resulted.

He said violationsincluded unregistered machines, not having a trail permit,prohibited drivers and people operating snowmobiles while impaired.

He said most of those resulted in summary offence tickets being handed out but one driver was given 30 days in jailfor operating a motor vehicle while prohibited by court order.

'It's just tradition'

MacKinnon believes that part of the problem is thathistorically, the rules haven't been too heavily enforced.

I believe the current penalties in place are adequate, it's just a matter of us being out there to catch them.- WadeMacKinnon, Department of Justice and Public Safety

"I think it's just tradition," he said.

"There hasn't been a whole lot of active enforcement on snowmobiles, but we have increased thatand will continue to increase it this winter."

According to MacKinnon, 32 of the 35 violations were in Prince County, where riding conditions have been best, but he said patrol locations will change depending on where the most snow has accumulated.

He said in recent years, the P.E.I. Snowmobile Association successfully lobbied government for stiffer penalties for offendersand believes that an increased presence on the trails is what's needed.

"I believe the current penalties in place are adequate, it's just a matter of us being out there to catch them," MacKinnon said.

According to the P.E.I. Snowmobile Association, approximately 2,200 permits have been purchased this season. The associationsays that's down about 500 from three years agoand estimate several hundred potentially as many as1,000 people are operatingsnowmobiles on the Island without a permit.

More P.E.I. news