whats wreckless driving?

[broken_line]

today i was jumping a huge snowbank right along the lake bank... the guy rides his snowmobile out and informs me that im trsspassing and wrecklessly driving my sled..is jumping a sled wreckless? and if you are on 14 feet of snow above someones actuall land on a lakebank are you tresspassing?

[mooneyes]

as long as it looked cool I think your good...?

[Scott Stein]

not sure about the wreckless driving,I doubt that counts. But as the trespassing goes,ya if you were off the lake and on his property you were probably trespassing. Kind of like the guy who drove his wheeler across our plowed field to access some land he didn't have permission to hunt. I told him he was trespassing by driving over our field since he didn't have permission and he told me if it's plowed it doesn't matter, it's not trespassing.

[broken_line]

??

[fishersofmen]

Looks cool to me.......

[mooneyes]

clear for take off

[mudslinger]

Cool jumps yes. Trespassing yes. Giving snowmobilers a bad name YES

[Dave S]

Cool jumps yes. Trespassing yes. Giving snowmobilers a bad name YES

mudslinger is correct. Personally the only thing I would take issue with here is the trespassing.

[Dave S]

not sure about the wreckless driving,I doubt that counts. But as the trespassing goes,ya if you were off the lake and on his property you were probably trespassing. Kind of like the guy who drove his wheeler across our plowed field to access some land he didn't have permission to hunt. I told him he was trespassing by driving over our field since he didn't have permission and he told me if it's plowed it doesn't matter, it's not trespassing.

It does matter that it is agricultural land. Ag land does not need to be posted. It's still trespassing.

[motley man]

It is wreckless driving if it's done on public land. There are rules of the trail that need to be followed to keep everyone safe. You can do stunts or whatever on private land at your own risk. Read the rules to understand them and follow these out on public land. Don't trespass, and be safe!!!

[Sonicrunch]

I like that broken line has a good attitude about this and is seeking the answer.

[Shack]

What about the high water mark? Anything under is public I thought?

[BoxMN]

No, I think the high water mark is basically just a mark, anything under it you need special permission to "change". But for tresspassing it is just the edge of the water on non-meandered water, of which most in Mn is, I believe. If you have legal access to the water, you can go anywhere the water goes, including walking on the ground under it. If it is meandered then you must stay in boat/ice, and not even let a foot or anchor touch ground under it. I think anyway, that is how it goes.

So if Broken line stayed on the lake, he should be okay. I would not call that wreckless myself. But if he jumped onto or from land that was private, then that would be tresspassing and a big no-no in my book.

Cool pic though

[broken_line]

alright! thanks guys!

[mudslinger]

It is a cool pic Broken Line.

[Macgyver55]

Hmmm, and I always thought "wreckless driving" meant you arrived at you destination without "wrecking" anything.

[MinDak Hunter]

Reckless driving is in Subdivision 2.

84.87 OPERATION; REGULATIONS BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.

Subdivision 1.Operation on streets and highways.(a) No person shall operate a snowmobile upon the roadway, shoulder, or inside bank or slope of any trunk, county state-aid, or county highway in this state and, in the case of a divided trunk or county highway, on the right-of-way between the opposing lanes of traffic, except as provided in sections 84.81 to 84.90. No person shall operate a snowmobile within the right-of-way of any trunk, county state-aid, or county highway between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except on the right-hand side of such right-of-way and in the same direction as the highway traffic on the nearest lane of the roadway adjacent thereto. No snowmobile shall be operated at any time within the right-of-way of any interstate highway or freeway within this state.

( Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) to the contrary:

(1) under conditions prescribed by the commissioner of transportation, the commissioner of transportation may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the trunk highway right-of-way where the commissioner of transportation determines that two-way operation will not endanger users of the trunk highway or riders of the snowmobiles using the trail;

(2) under conditions prescribed by a local road authority as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 25, the road authority may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the right-of-way of a street or highway under the road authority's jurisdiction, where the road authority determines that two-way operation will not endanger users of the street or highway or riders of the snowmobiles using the trail;

(3) the commissioner of transportation under clause (1) and the local road authority under clause (2) shall notify the commissioner of natural resources and the local law enforcement agencies responsible for the streets or highways of the locations of two-way snowmobile trails authorized under this paragraph; and

(4) two-way snowmobile trails authorized under this paragraph shall be posted for two-way operation at the authorized locations.

© A snowmobile may make a direct crossing of a street or highway at any hour of the day provided:

(1) the crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 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 crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the highway; and

(3) the driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; and

(4) in crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of such highway with another public street or highway; and

(5) if the crossing is made between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear lights are on; and

(6) a snowmobile may be operated upon a bridge, other than a bridge that is part of the main traveled lanes of an interstate highway, when required for the purpose of avoiding obstructions to travel when no other method of avoidance is possible; provided the snowmobile is operated in the extreme right-hand lane, the entrance to the roadway is made within 100 feet of the bridge and the crossing is made without undue delay.

(d) No snowmobile shall be operated upon a public street or highway unless it is equipped with at least one headlamp, one tail lamp, each of minimum candlepower as prescribed by rules of the commissioner, reflector material of a minimum area of 16 square inches mounted on each side forward of the handle bars, and with brakes each of which shall conform to standards prescribed by rule of the commissioner pursuant to the authority vested in the commissioner by section 84.86, and each of which shall be subject to approval of the commissioner of public safety.

(e) A snowmobile may be operated upon a public street or highway other than as provided by paragraph © in an emergency during the period of time when and at locations where snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.

(f) All provisions of chapters 169 and 169A shall apply to the operation of snowmobiles upon streets and highways, except for those relating to required equipment, and except those which by their nature have no application. Section 169.09 applies to the operation of snowmobiles anywhere in the state or on the ice of any boundary water of the state.

(g) Any sled, trailer, or other device being towed by a snowmobile must be equipped with reflective materials as required by rule of the commissioner.

Subd. 1a.Organized contests, use of highways, etc.Nothing in this section or chapter 169 shall prohibit the use of snowmobiles within the right-of-way of any state trunk or county state-aid highway or upon public lands or waters under the jurisdiction of the commissioner of natural resources, in any organized contest, subject to the consent of the official or board having jurisdiction over the highway or public lands or waters.

In permitting such contest, the official or board having jurisdiction may prescribe such restrictions or conditions as they may deem advisable.

Subd. 2.Operation generally.It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile in the following unsafe or harassing ways:

(1) at a rate of speed greater than reasonable or proper under all the surrounding circumstances;

(2) in a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the person or property of another or to cause injury or damage thereto;

(3) without a lighted head and taillight when required for safety; or

(4) in any tree nursery or planting in a manner which damages or destroys growing stock.

Subd. 2a.Operation prohibited on airports.It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile on an airport defined in section 360.013, subdivision 39, or other applicable law.

Subd. 2b.[Repealed, 1994 c 615 s 28]

Subd. 2c.Application of speed limits to testing activities.(a) A speed limit established by the commissioner in rules adopted under section 84.86 does not apply to a snowmobile that is being operated as part of a testing program established by a snowmobile manufacturer if:

(1) the snowmobile is operated for testing purposes by a driver employed by the snowmobile manufacturer;

(2) the snowmobile is clearly marked as a test machine; and

(3) the snowmobile is operated in compliance with all other applicable laws and rules.

( A card containing a photograph of the driver and identifying the driver as a test driver for the manufacturer must be in the driver's possession at all times when the snowmobile is being operated at a speed in excess of the limit established by the commissioner under section 84.86.

Subd. 3.Regulations by political subdivisions.Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, a county board may by resolution permit the operation of snowmobiles upon the roadway, shoulder, or inside bank or slope of any county highway or county state aid highway if safe operation in the ditch or outside bank or slope thereof is impossible, in which case the county board shall cause appropriate notice thereof to be given.

Any county, city, or any town acting by its town board, may regulate the operation of snowmobiles on public lands, waters, and property under their jurisdiction and on streets and highways within their boundaries by resolution or ordinance of the governing body and by giving appropriate notice, provided such regulations are not inconsistent with the provisions of sections 84.81 to 84.88 inclusive and rules promulgated thereunder. However, no such governmental unit may adopt an ordinance which (1) imposes a fee for the use of public land or water under the jurisdiction of either the commissioner of natural resources or any other agency of the state, or for the use of any access thereto owned by the state, or a county or city; or (2) require a snowmobile operator to possess a motor vehicle driver's license while operating a snowmobile.

Subd. 4.Snowmobile speed limit; lakes greater than 10,000 acres.Notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, a county may enact an ordinance to raise the speed limit up to 65 miles per hour for snowmobiles traveling on marked trails during daylight hours on lakes greater than 10,000 acres, subject to the approval of the commissioner of natural resources. Within any posted speed limit, it remains unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable or proper under all of the surrounding conditions or circumstances.

[Macgyver55]

The biggest problem I have with the way the law is written, is that the law is actually quite subjective and open to different interpretations and opinions.

It does not take into consideration rider skill and ability, or equipment condition and setup. What one rider can do safely on a well setup machine may be extremely dangerous for a novice on an old unmaintained sled. There are too many variables involved in each individual situation to judge without seeing the whole picture.

Trespassing is a no no anytime, but if no bystanders are in harms way, use your head, have some fun, but only at your OWN risk!

[Redlantern]

I'm confused by the regs. I was looking at them and it sounds like a rider may go upon private, non ag land outside of the seven county area unless it is posted or the rider is told not to. Am I reading this correctly?

[Dave S]

I'm confused by the regs. I was looking at them and it sounds like a rider may go upon private, non ag land outside of the seven county area unless it is posted or the rider is told not to. Am I reading this correctly?

I'm guessing in that if you find private "non-agricultural" land, it won't be suitable for riding anyhow. Ag land is any land that may contain a harvestable crop. If I'm not mistaken on this one, I think that also includes wooded areas as trees are considered harvestable.

[Dave S]

On another note, this is still snowmobile related, but also important info I thought I'd post after an experience I had yesterday while coyote hunting:

WHERE YOU MAY NOT RIDE:

• on the roadway, shoulder, or inner slope of the ditch of a state or

county road

• on the median of a four-lane roadway

• within the right-of-way of any interstate

• on the right-of-way between opposing lanes of traffic

• against traffic at night within the road right-of-way

• at airports

• in any state park, state recreation area, state historic site, wildlife

management area, or state scientific and natural area with the

exception of posted snowmobile trails and areas

• in any wildlife management area south of U.S. Highway 2 from

Grand Forks east to Bemidji, then south along U.S. Highway

71 to Wadena, then east along U.S. Highway 10 to Staples and

U.S. Highway 210 to the eastern boundary of the state, without

written permission from the DNR

• on any iced-over waters located in a restricted area or iced-over

waters where you don’t have legal access

• in any areas restricted by local ordinances or municipalities

• in a tree nursery or planting area

• on state forest lands that are posted or designated closed

to snowmobiling

• on state forest lands located in the Boundary Waters Canoe

Area Wilderness, including all of Lake Isabella and Insula; and

portions of Lake Jeanette and Burntside State Forests.

• in National Wildlife Refuges, Waterfowl Production Areas, or the

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. For more information

contact your local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

[Dave S]

For the sake of the sport and all outdoorsmen/women, please read and understand the regulations.

[stifler51]

Cool points awarded! but really ride for fun, yea it was prolly trespassing but... as far as the jumps, thats what makes snowmobiling FUN! U see a ditch with big drifts in it, u dont pass by cuz ur on public land, u hit that sh!t.