blake
Life Member
<span style="color: #000099">“The Iowa DNR's Mission:
"To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowans and ensure a legacy for future generations.”</span>
<span style='font-size: 14pt'>From the Iowa DNR :</span>
Snowmobilers Operating Under Influence Focus of Law Enforcement Effort
CLEAR LAKE – Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers are partnering with the Iowa State Patrol to conduct snowmobile enforcement projects across north Iowa. Record snowfalls this winter has brought snowmobilers out in full force, and unfortunately some sled enthusiasts will mix their recreational pursuits with drinking.
Over the past two weekends, officers contacted 227 snowmobile operators, of which 10 were arrested for operating while intoxicated, along with two arrests for operating a motor vehicle while revoked.
“This project was successful because of the good relationship we have with the State Patrol and our partners in the local police and sheriffs departments. We are planning additional enforcement projects as long as the snow is around and the snowmobiles are out there,” said Jason Sandholdt, interim chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Bureau. “What we found really amazing was, some of the operators who were arrested for OWI were found to be two to three times above the legal limit to drive. That is a lot of drinking. Our goal is to keep the public safe.”
In addition, 31 other violations were found, ranging from “no safety certificates for operators under age 18” and “failure to display registration” to “failure to stop at intersection” and “failure to obey a signal to stop.”
“We don’t intend to paint all snowmobilers with the same broad brush but there are certain groups we are targeting because of their behavior,” said Ken Lonneman, conservation officer and acting supervisor with the DNR’s office at Clear Lake. “By far most snowmobilers are law abiding operators who do it the right way. But we will be out there looking for these certain groups and riders who are reckless.”
“Many snowmobilers don’t realize that the same laws which make driving a car under the influence of drugs or alcohol illegal also pertain to the operation of a snowmobile,” said Mike Bonser, conservation officer of Black Hawk and Bremer counties.
In cases where snowmobilers attempted to avoid speaking with officers, the State Patrol’s aircraft assisted getting the errant riders stopped.
“Driving a snowmobile in Iowa has just as many regulations as driving the family car and should be taken as seriously. Snowmobiling can be a fun and wonderful winter activity as long as people operate responsibly,” Bonser said.
Information on Iowa’s snowmobile laws can be found on the Iowa DNR’s Web site at http://www.iowadnr.gov/law/atvboatsnow.html
There are 28,000 snowmobiles registered in Iowa.
<span style='font-size: 20pt'>1-800-532-2020</span>
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Ron Wyllie
Southwest Iowa IBA Area Representative
rwyllie@iowawhitetail.com