wisconsin legislature cracks down on snowmobilers
Amsnow
This week the Wisconsin Senate passed a bill that would increase the penalties if someone is caught snowmobiling while drunk. The bill passed with a 25-8 vote and went to the Assembly.
The legislation would impose a 50 mph speed limit at night and allow authorities to confiscate the machines of fleeing drivers, reported the Associated Press
The Snowmobile Recreation Council in Wisconsin recommended the changes due to Wisconsin's record 38 snowmobiler deaths last winter.
Currently, the fine if convicted of snowmobiling drunk is only $581. With the bill, the fine for first-time offenders would include a fine and snowmobile driving priveleges revoked for one year. Second-time offenders would lose driving priveleges for two years and face a maximum fine of $1,000. Three-time offenders will lose priveleges for three years and a maximum fine of $2,000.
Snowmobile registration fees would increase from $20 to $40 to cover the cost of increased law enforcement and safety precautions.