Noise complaints about snowmobiles on OFSC trails in our region have police out enforcing the law that prohibits the use of modified exhaust systems that make that noise.
Modified mufflers legal, but only on private land or on a race track.
Timmins Police Const. Troy Larose says most of the noise complaints are from landowners who allow snowmobiles to use their property as part of the trail system.
“These private residents that allow them onto their property are going to get to the point where they don’t want to allow them anymore with the noise,” Larose comments,” and ruining it for everybody else, right?”
Larose says the penalty is a $110.00 fine, under the provincial Motorized Snow Vehicles Act.
“We still have a few months left within the winter and we will be out here on weekends and throughout the week, continuing enforcement.”
Up for debate between the police officers and snowmobilers is whether a modified exhaust provides any benefits, such as increased power.
UPDATE: CHARGES LAID JAN. 12-13
- 24 for modified exhaust systems
- 3 for failing to have an OFSC trail permit
- 1 document-related