By CHIEF RON CHOMYN, Corman Park Police Service
Every year, Corman Park Police receives a number of complaints regarding All Terrain Vehicles during the summer months and snowmobiles during the winter months.
As we progress through winter, Corman Park Police would like to remind the public about some of the rules surrounding snowmobiling.
In Saskatchewan, any snowmobiles being operated on public roads, which include the ditch, must have ether have a certificate of registration or a registration permit obtained from SGI.
Anyone operating a snowmobile on a public road must hold a valid class 1,2,3,4, or 5 driver’s license, or be at least 16 years old and have completed a operators safety course, or be between the ages of 12 and 16, have completed an operators safety course, and be accompanied by someone holding a valid class 1,2,3,4, or 5 driver’s license on ether the same snowmobile or be riding another snowmobile in close proximity.
All snowmobile operators, passengers and any passengers of any towed conveyance must be wearing an approved helmet.
Snowmobiles cannot be operated on the traveled portion of public roadways, except to cross. When crossing a public roadway, snowmobile operators must a) come to a complete stop, b) yield the right of way to any traffic on the public roadway and c) cross in the most direct route possible.
It is an offence to operate a snowmobile on any private property without first obtaining the permission of the property owner. It is a $580.00 dollar fine for riding on private property without the property owner’s consent.
If signaled to stop by police, the operator of a snowmobile must stop. Not stopping for a police officer when signaled to do so is a criminal code offence.
And remember, never consume alcohol or drugs and operate a snowmobile.
INCIDENTS OF NOTE
On December 14, 2024, at 4:02 p.m., CPPS did arrest a male for being intoxicated in public after multiple calls of him walking in traffic on Highway 11 northbound near Township Road 381. He was subsequently transported to the Saskatoon RCMP Detachment and lodged in cells to be released the following morning once sober.
On December 31 at approximately 8:45 a.m., DOCC dispatched a ‘Be on the lookout’ (BOLO) from Humboldt RCMP. CPPS located the vehicle at Highway 16 and Boychuck, and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was in a manic state and CPPS had her sit in the back seat of the patrol vehicle. CPPS looked in her vehicle for items that would contribute to mental health issues, and located a meth pipe bong with white residue in it in the center console. CPPS formed the opinion that she had recently consumed drugs, made the SFST demand and transported her to Saskatoon RCMP where she performed poorly on the test. RCMP towed the vehicle, and lodged her for public intoxication.
On December 23 at 8:53 p.m., at the Highway 12/11 junction, a male driver was found to be operating a grey Toyota RAV4 under the influence of methamphetamine after performing poorly on a roadside SFST. He was subsequently issued a 21 day licence suspension and seven-day vehicle impound as this was his second offence for operating under the influence of drugs.