Snowmobiler ticketed for riding on roads and sidewalks in Campbell River, B.C.
It sounds like a good excuse, but Campbell River RCMP officers didn’t buy a snowmobiler's story about their car lacking tire clearance for snow-covered roads when they were handed a ticket this week.
On Thursday, Mounties received reports saying a snowmobiler was spotted riding on sidewalks and roads near the Robron Park area.
Just before 10 a.m., an officer spotted the white snowmobile parked on the side of the road.
According to police, as the officer was checking to see if it was abandoned or stolen, its owner returned.
The rider told police they had just popped into the Merecroft Village shopping complex and that their personal vehicle lacked tire clearance to navigate snow-crusted roads.
"While many of us in the local detachment have roots in northern and remote policing, and could easily understand the logic of the choice made by the snowmobile operator, the laws of the community and much of the province just don’t allow for the use of snowmobiles as commuter vehicles on the roads or sidewalks," said Campbell River RCMP Const. Maury Tyre on Friday.
"Fines for usage on public roads and sidewalks could end up costing riders significant sums in fines and tow bills," he said.
Officers say they issued the snowmobiler the smallest fine possible and helped them find a safe way to get their machine home.
North Vancouver Island Mounties are reminding the public that difficult weather conditions do not trump the Motor Vehicle Act.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in "all public spaces," marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.