3.20Operation of Snowmobiles on Public Highways and Streets

A.Statutory Authority

“A person shall not operate a snowmobile upon a public highway, land used as an airport or street, or on a public or private parking lot not specifically designated for the use of snowmobiles except under the following conditions and circumstances:

(a) Subject to [MCL 324.82119(2)], a snowmobile may be operated on the right-of-way of a public highway, except a limited access highway, if it is operated at the extreme right of the open portion of the right-of-way and with the flow of traffic on the highway. However, a snowmobile may be operated on the right-of-way of a public highway against the flow of traffic if the right-of-way is a snowmobile trail that is designated by the [DNR] in the plan developed pursuant to [MCL 324.82106(2)] and that is approved by the state transportation department. Snowmobiles operated on the right-of-way of a public highway, as provided in [MCL 324.82119(1)(a)], shall travel single file and shall not be operated abreast except when overtaking and passing another snowmobile. In the absence of a posted snowmobile speed limit, a snowmobile operated on the right-of-way of a public highway, as provided in [MCL 324.82119(1)(a)], shall not exceed the speed limit posted on the public highway.

(b) Subject to [MCL 324.82119(2)], a snowmobile may be operated on the right-of-way of a limited access public highway if it is operated on a snowmobile trail that is designated by the [DNR] in the plan developed pursuant to [MCL 324.82106(2)] and that is approved by the state transportation department. A snowmobile shall only be operated on that right-of-way in the manner provided in that plan. In addition, a snowmobile operated on the right-of-way of a public highway, as provided in [MCL 324.82119(1)(b)], shall travel single file and shall not be operated abreast except when overtaking and passing another snowmobile. In the absence of a posted snowmobile sped limit, a snowmobile operated on the right-of-way of a public highway, as provided in [MCL 324.82119(1)(b)], shall not exceed the speed limit posted on the public highway.^[1]

(c) A snowmobile may be operated on the roadway or shoulder when necessary to cross a bridge or culvert if the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before entering onto the roadway or shoulder and the driver yields the right-of-way to an approaching vehicle on the highway.

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(e) A snowmobile may be operated across a public highway other than a limited access highway, at right angles to the highway, for the purpose of getting from 1 area to another when the operation can be done in safety and another vehicle is not crossing the highway at the same time in the same general area. An operator shall bring his or her snowmobile to a complete stop before proceeding across the public highway and shall yield the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic.

(f) Snowmobiles may be operated on a highway in a county road system that is not normally snowplowed for vehicular traffic and on the plowed right-of-way or shoulder when no right-of-way exists on a snowplowed highway in the county road system, outside the corporate limits of a city or village, that is designated and marked for snowmobile use by the county road commission having jurisdiction. Upon the request of a county road commission that has designated all county roads outside the corporate limits of a city or village for snowmobile use, the state transportation department shall erect at county road commission expense and shall maintain, in accordance with the Michigan manual of uniform traffic control devices standards, the basic snowmobile sign unit together with a supplemental panel stating ‘permitted on right-of-way or shoulder of all . . . (county name) roads–MCL 324.82119’ at the county line on all state trunk line highways and county roads. A sign erected before [December 27, 2005] may cite 1968 PA 74 instead of citing [MCL 324.82119].

(g) A law enforcement officer of a local unit of government or the state may authorize use of a snowmobile on a public highway or street within his or her jurisdiction when an emergency occurs and conventional motor vehicles cannot be used for transportation due to snow or other extreme highway conditions.

(h) A snowmobile may be operated on a highway or street for a special event of limited duration conducted according to a prearranged schedule only under permit from the governmental unit having jurisdiction. The event may be conducted on the frozen surface of public waters only under permit from the [DNR].

(i) A city or village by ordinance may designate 1 or more specific public highways or streets within its jurisdiction as egress and ingress routes for the use of snowmobiles. A city or village acting under the authority of [MCL 324.82119(1)(i)] shall erect and maintain, in accordance with the Michigan manual of uniform traffic control devices standards, a sign unit giving proper notice of the designation.” MCL 324.82119(1).²

“Notwithstanding [MCL 324.82119], an operator who is less than 12 years of age shall not cross a highway or street. An operator who is at least 12 years of age but less than 17 years of age may cross a highway or street only if he or she has a valid snowmobile safety certificate in his or her immediate possession.”³ MCL 324.82120(4). “The owner of a snowmobile shall not permit the snowmobile to be operated contrary to [MCL 324.82120].” MCL 324.82120(5).

B.Penalties

A person who commits a violation of any of the above-listed provisions is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by:

•imprisonment for not more than 90 days;

•fine of not more than $500; or

•both. MCL 324.82133; MCL 750.504.