350.04 Snowmobile races, derbies and routes.

(1) Any county, town, city or village may block off the highways under its jurisdiction for the purpose of allowing special snowmobile events. No state trunk highway or connecting highway or part thereof, shall be blocked off by any county, town, city or village for any snowmobile race or derby. Every county, town, city or village shall notify the local police department and the county sheriff's office at least one week in advance of the time and place of any snowmobile race or derby which may result in any street or part thereof, of the county, town, city or village being blocked off. Upon such notice, the local police department shall take such measures as it deems appropriate to protect persons and property and to regulate traffic in the designated area and its vicinity on the day of such race or derby.

(2) On state trunk bridges a sidewalk or, if no sidewalk exists, one lane of the bridge may be designated by the town, city or village as a snowmobile route. Towns, cities or villages may adopt ordinances designating highways as snowmobile routes for snowmobile operation, subject to the following limitations:

(a) Snowmobiles shall be operated on the extreme right side of the roadway.

(b) Left turns shall be made as safely as possible from any position depending on snow cover and other prevailing conditions.

(c) Snowmobile operators shall yield right-of-way to other vehicular traffic and pedestrians.

(d) Highways designated for snowmobile operation shall be marked in accordance with s. 350.13.

(e) Snowmobile operation is not permitted on state trunk highways or connecting highways except as provided under s. 350.02.

(3)

(a) No county, town, city or village shall be liable for any injury suffered in connection with a race or derby under this section, unless the injury is caused by the negligence of the county, town, city or village.

(b) The county, town, city or village shall post the provisions of par. (a) in a conspicuous place, readily accessible to all contestants and spectators, and shall assist in locating and identifying persons responsible for injuries that may occur.

History: 1971 c. 277; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (3); 1981 c. 295.