Fighting Snowmobile Charges:

Question: Does Ontario law treat snowmobiles the same as automobiles when it comes to tickets and charges?

Answer: In Ontario, snowmobiles aren’t treated exactly the same as automobiles because different rules can apply depending on the offence and where you were riding, including requirements like helmets, speed limits, insurance, and accident reporting under Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44 and Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8.  DefendCharges.ca provides Paralegal defence for snowmobile charges across Ontario with clear, practical strategies aimed at reducing penalties or securing a withdrawal, so call (647) 559-3377 to discuss your ticket and next steps.

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.

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.  Understanding the unique differences between a charge involving the operation of a snowmobile versus a charge involving the operation of an automobile is critical.  An experienced legal professional can help to identify the unique differences, and thus the defence strategy nuances, that differ from a charge involving the operation of a snowmobile versus a charge involving the operation of an automobile.

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.

Differences Between Snowmobile Law and Automobile Law Include:

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

Understanding the specific differences within the laws applicable to automobiles and the laws applicable to snowmobiles is a necessity when fighting snowmobile charges.

Charges May Involve: