Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 23 Sec. 3207a

  • Operate: includes an attempt to operate and shall be construed to cover all matters and things connected with the presence and use of snowmobiles whether they be at motion or rest. See
  • Person: means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, or other entity. See
  • Privilege to operate: includes the privilege of a nonresident to operate a motor vehicle within the State and includes the privilege of a resident to obtain a license. See
  • Snowmobile: means a self-propelled vehicle intended for off-road travel primarily on snow, having a curb weight of not more than 793. See
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States may apply to the District of Columbia and any territory and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. See

§ 3207a. Snowmobiling under the influence of alcohol or drugs

(a) A person shall not operate, attempt to operate, or be in actual physical control of a snowmobile on any lands, waters, or public highways of this State:

(1) when the person’s alcohol concentration is 0.08 or more; or

(2) when the person is under the influence of alcohol; or

(3) when the person is under the influence of any other drug or under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drug to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely operating a snowmobile.

(b) A person who is a habitual user of or under the influence of any narcotic drug or who is under the influence of any other drug, substance, or inhalant other than alcohol to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely operating a snowmobile may not operate, attempt to operate, or be in actual physical control of a snowmobile.

(c) The fact that a person charged with a violation of this section is or has been entitled to use such drug under the laws of this State shall not constitute a defense against any charge of violating this section.

(d) A person may not be convicted of more than one offense under this section arising out of the same incident.

(e) As used in this section, “alcohol” includes “alcohol,” “malt beverages,” “spirits,” “fortified wines,” and “vinous beverages” as defined in 7 V.S.A. § 2, and any beverage or liquid containing any of them.

(f) As used in this section, “drug” means a regulated drug as defined in 18 V.S.A. § 4201.

(g) If a person violates this section on a public highway, that person may be convicted of a violation of this section or a violation of section 1201 of this title, but not both.

(h) Any person who is convicted of violating this section shall have his or her privilege to operate a snowmobile suspended for a period of one year and until the person complies with section 1209a of this title. Additionally, a person convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall be penalized under the provisions of section 1210 of this title. (Added 1993, No. 234 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 1994; amended 1999, No. 20, § 10; 2003, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2017, No. 83, § 154; 2023, No. 6, § 257, eff. July 1, 2023.)