Defending Charges Involving Snowmobile Offences

Is Fighting a Snowmobile Ticket the Same As Fighting An Automobile Ticket?

The Law Applicable to Snowmobiles Is Somewhat Different Than the Law Applicable to Automobiles. Accordingly, Defending Against Snowmobile Charges Requires a Strong Understanding of the Nuanced Differences Between the Two Sets of Laws.

A Helpful Guide on How to Understand and Defend Against Various Charges Involving the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act

Many of the laws that apply to driving an automobile also apply to the ownership, use, and operation, of a snowmobile; however, there are often nuances within the applicable laws that make the approach to fighting snowmobile charges different than fighting common automobile charges as traffic tickets.

The Law

Is Snowmobile Law and Automobile Law the Same?

Although many aspects are identical, there are also many aspects that differ within the law applicable to snowmobiles and automobiles whereas the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44 applies specifically to issues involving snowmobiles and the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8 applies specifically to automobiles.  Within the snowmobile law, there are various offences with applicable special conditions or exceptions that raise nuanced differences from that affecting automobiles; and thus, the choice of defence strategies and options for legal theories to argue may differ. Accordingly, having a keen knowledge of the differences between the two laws and the unique aspects of each is important when defending against snowmobile charges.

Various Unique Differences Between Snowmobile Law and Automobile Law Include:

• The requirement to snowmobile with a legally approved helmet;
• The various differences involving the applicable speed limits;
• The exception and conditions for towing skiers, toboggans, or other things;
• The requirement of insurance coverage and the special exception that applies;
• The requirement to report an accident; and
• The various other nuances applicable to snowmobiles.

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