VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - B.C.'s tourism minister is looking at steps to stop snowmobilers from endangering the lives of others. Backcountry high-markers may soon have their snowmobiles seized.
Tourism Minister Kevin Krueger says similar laws are already on the books. "We certainly can do it. We can enact legislation that allows for the seizure of the equipment. We already do that with our proceeds of crime legislation."
He hopes it will stop the very risky high-marking fad. Snowmobilers race to the top of a steep slope to see who can get the farthest, sometimes triggering deadly avalanches like the one near Revelstoke in March. Two Alberta men lost their lives and many others were injured.
He says the majority of snowmobilers aren't happy with the small percentage of dangerous riders and he would be counting on them to report bad behavior. "Everybody has cameras on their telephones and Blackberries these days so, we'll get 'em."