Sheriff Maciol Hosts Annual Snowmobile Press Conference…

Sheriff Maciol Hosts Annual Snowmobile Press Conference

This afternoon, Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol hosted the Sheriff’s annual Snowmobile Safety Press Conference at the Lost Trails Snowmobile Club located off of Ford Street in the Village of Boonville as the snowmobile season prepares to kick off.

In addition to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Snowmobile Patrol Unit, Sheriff Maciol was joined by the NYS Forest Rangers, the Village of Boonville Police Department, the Town of Webb Police Department, Jim Rolf from the NYS Snowmobilers Association, and several members of the Lost Trails Snowmobile Club.

At the press conference, numerous safety tips were discussed along with areas of concerns that law enforcement will again be focusing on this year. Some of the laws that will be strictly enforced will include operating a snowmobile while intoxicated, speeding violations, registration violations, and exhaust modifications. All of New York’s laws and regulations regarding snowmobiling can be found at https://parks.ny.gov/documents/recreation/snowmobiles/SnowmobilersGuide.pdf .

Sheriff Maciol also stressed the fact that nearly all of the 650 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Oneida County are on private land, so riders must do all they can to respect the property owners including staying on the marked trails, slowing down near residential areas, and not littering.

Also, in New York State, youth ages 14 through 17 years old may operate a snowmobile, on lands upon which snowmobiling is allowed, without adult or other supervision if they have completed a snowmobile safety training course recognized by the State of New York. If youth ages 14 through 17 years have not completed the training course, they may operate a snowmobile if accompanied by (within 500 feet of) a person who is at least 18 years of age. Youth ages 10 through 13 mayoperate a snowmobile, on lands upon which snowmobiling is allowed, if they have completed a snowmobile safety training course recognized by the State of New York and are accompanied by (within 500 feet of) a person who is at least 18 years of age. Children less than 10 years old or less than age 14 without a safety certificate may operate a snowmobile only on lands owned or leased by their parent or guardian. If you are in need of, or interested in taking a snowmobiler education class, please check the NYS DEC link ( https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/snowmobiles/safety-courses.aspx?cnty=Oneida&sort=1#form ) for upcoming classes in Oneida County.