Chapter 9.46
SNOWMOBILES
Sections:
9.46.010 Declaration of Policy.
9.46.020 Termination of Policy.
9.46.030 Operating Violations.
9.46.040 Additional Violations.
9.46.050 Crossing Public Roadways and Highways.
9.46.060 Restrictions on Age of Operators – Qualifications.
9.46.070 Penalty for Violations.
9.46.010 Declaration of Policy.
It is declared the policy of the county to give notice that certain county roads, as specified by separate resolution, shall be open to wintertime snowmobile traffic concurrently with motor vehicle traffic; and that the department of public works shall maintain a current list of roads upon which snowmobiling is permitted concurrently with motor vehicle traffic and shall post such roads as to their use by snowmobiles.
(Ord. 10-2017 (part), 2017: Ord. 6-1985 (part), 1985).
9.46.020 Termination of Policy.
The board of county commissioners may terminate at any time the use of snowmobiles on specified county roads if the use is abused, if there is a safety concern and/or if it is in the best interest of the county to do so.
(Ord. 10-2017 (part), 2017: Ord. 6-1985 (part), 1985).
9.46.030 Operating Violations.
The county adopts RCW 46.10.090 regarding operating violations in its entirety as now or hereafter amended.
(Ord. 10-2017 (part), 2017: Ord. 6-1985 (part), 1985).
9.46.040 Additional Violations.
No person shall operate a snowmobile in such a way as to endanger human life, or to run down or harass deer, elk or any wildlife, or any domestic animal, nor shall he carry any loaded weapon upon, nor hunt from, any snowmobile. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 10-2017 (part), 2017: Ord. 6-1985 (part), 1985).
9.46.050 Crossing Public Roadways and Highways.
It shall be lawful to drive or operate a snowmobile across public roadways and highways other than limited access highways when:
(1) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately ninety degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and
(2) The snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before entering the public roadway or highway; and
(3) The operator of the snowmobile yields the right-of-way to motor vehicles using the public roadway or highway; and
(4) The crossing is made at a place which is greater than one hundred feet from any public roadway or highway intersection.
(Ord. 10-2017 (part), 2017: Ord. 6-1985 (part), 1985).
9.46.060 Restrictions on Age of Operators – Qualifications.
No person under twelve years of age shall operate a snowmobile on or across a public roadway or highway in this state, and no person between the ages of twelve and sixteen years of age shall operate a snowmobile on or across a public road or highway in this state unless he has taken a snowmobile safety education course and been certified as qualified to operate a snowmobile by an instructor designated by the commission as qualified to conduct such a course and issue such a certificate, and he has on his person at the time he is operating a snowmobile evidence of such certification; provided, that persons under sixteen years of age who have not been certified as qualified snowmobile operators may operate a snowmobile under the direct supervision of a qualified snowmobile operator.
(Ord. 10-2017 (part), 2017: Ord. 6-1985 (part), 1985).
9.46.070 Penalty for Violations.
It is a traffic infraction for any person to operate any snowmobile under RCW 46.10.090(1) on operating violations or restrictions on age of operators and their qualifications. It is a misdemeanor for any person to operate any snowmobile so as to endanger the person of another or while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics or habit-forming drugs under RCW 46.10.090(2). Any person who violates the provisions of RCW 46.10.090(2) or the additional violations section, shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or by confinement in the county jail not to exceed ninety days or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(Ord. 10-2017 (part), 2017: Ord. 6-1985 (part), 1985).