(A) This section is adopted pursuant to authority granted in § 14 of Public Act 74 of 1968, being M.C.L.A.§§ 324.82101 through 324.82160.
(B) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context indicates or requires a different meaning.
HIGHWAY or STREET. The entire width between boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel and shall include among other portions thereof, the sidewalk and the area between the sidewalk and the curb.
OPERATE. To ride in or on and to control the operation of a snowmobile.
OPERATOR. Any person who operates or is in actual physical control of a snowmobile.
OWNER. Any person, other than a lien holder, having the property in or title to a snowmobile entitled to the use or possession thereof.
PERSON. An individual, partnership, corporation, the state and any of its agencies or subdivisions and any body of persons whether incorporated or not.
ROADWAY. That portion of a highway improved, designated or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. If a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term ROADWAY refers to any such roadway separately, but not to all the roadways collectively.
SNOWMOBILE. Any motorized vehicle designed for travel primarily on snow or ice steered by wheels, skis or runners.
(C) Except as otherwise provided, no snowmobile which is required to be registered under the provisions of this section shall be operated within the Village of Pinckney by a person or an authorized agent of that person, unless and until he or she has attained the age or 16 years.
(D) Except as otherwise provided, no snowmobile shall be operated within the Village of Pinckney unless registered by the owner with the State of Michigan as required by the Public Acts of 1968. No registration is required for a snowmobile operated exclusively on lands owned or under the control of the snowmobile owner.
(E) The owner of any snowmobile having been issued a certificate of registrant for the snowmobile by the State of Michigan shall paint on or attach in a permanent manner to each side of the forward half of the snowmobile, the identification number issued by the State of Michigan in block characters of good proportion, not less than three inches in height, reading from left to right. The numbers shall contrast, so as to be distinctly visible and legible. No number other than the number awarded to a snowmobile by the State of Michigan, or granted reciprocity under Public Act 74 of 1968, being M.C.L.A. §§ 324.82101 through 324.82160, shall be painted, attached or otherwise displayed on either side of the forward half of the snowmobile.
(F) No person shall operate a snowmobile upon the main traveled portion the roadway or on a highway or street within ten feet of the roadway within the Village of Pinckney, with the following exceptions:
(1) Properly registered snowmobiles may cross streets and highways, except access highways and freeways as defined in Public Act 300 of 1949, being M.C.L.A. §§ 257.1 through 257.923, if the crossing can be made in safety and it does not interfere with the free movement of vehicular traffic approaching from any direction on the highway. The snowmobile operator shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicular traffic upon any street or highway.
(2) Snowmobiles may be operated on a street and highway during a period of emergency, when so declared by the Chief of Police, when travel by conventional automobile equipment is not possible.
(3) Snowmobiles may be operated on the highways within the restrictions herein set forth for the purposes of crossing bridges and culverts.
(4) Snowmobiles may be operated on a street or highway for a special snowmobile event of limited duration which is conducted according to a prearranged schedule under permit from the governmental unit having jurisdiction.
(5) Whenever it is impractical to gain immediate access to an area adjacent a public highway where a snowmobile is to be operated, the vehicle may be operated adjacent and parallel to the highway for the purpose of gaining access to the area of operation. This section shall apply to the operation of a snowmobile from the point where the vehicle is unloaded from a motorized conveyance to and from the area where the snowmobile is to be operated when loading and unloading cannot be effected in the immediate vicinity of the area of operation without causing a hazard to vehicular traffic approaching from either direction on the highway. Loading and unloading must be accomplished with due regard to safety at the nearest possible point to the area of operation.
(G) No snowmobile shall be operated in the Village of Pinckney unless it has at least one headlight, one taillight and adequate brakes capable of producing deceleration at 14 feet a second on level ground at a speed of 20 mph.
(H) No person shall operate a snowmobile:
(1) At a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having due regard for conditions then existing and in no case at a speed greater than 15 mph;
(2) When under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs, barbital or any derivative of barbital;
(3) During the hours from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, when permitted by this section, without displaying a lighted headlight and a lighted taillight;
(4) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m;
(5) In any nursery, planting area or natural area of forest reproduction and when growing stock may be damaged;
(6) Unless it is equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke;
(7) While transporting thereon a bow or firearm, unless the same be securely encased;
(8) In any cemetery in the Village of Pinckney;
(9) In any public park; and
(10) Within 300 feet of any building in the Village of Pinckney without the permission of the owner thereof.
(I) The operator of a snowmobile involved in an accident resulting in injuries to or death of any person or property damage in an estimated amount of $100 or more, or some person acting for him or her, or the owner of the snowmobile having knowledge of the accident shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, notify the Police Department of the Village of Pinckney.
(J) No person shall authorize or knowingly permit a snowmobile owned by him or her or under his or her control to be operated in violation of this section.
(Ord. 16, passed 2-4-1971) Penalty, see § 72.99