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ATV & SNOWMOBILE SAFETY
WHAT WE DO WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING Roughly 94 % of Maine ’ s forest land is privately owned , and more than half of that land area is open to the public . In total , landowners voluntarily open up more than 10 million acres of working farms and forests .
This access is an incredible gift , and in order to preserve it , everyone who ventures outdoors needs to understand the contribution that landowners make .
The private land you use for recreation belongs to someone else . Access is a privilege , not a right .
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife encourages all land users to voluntarily seek permission whenever possible . In turn , the Outdoor Partners landowner relations program would ask all landowners to consider using the courtesy card system .
Respecting the property rights of landowners will lead to positive and cooperative relationships — and a positive , productive experience . It ’ s not only a courtesy — it ’ s the right thing to do .
For more information call the Landowner Relations Coordinators , Kris MacCabe or Rick LaFlamme , at ( 207 ) 287-5240 or visit mefishwildlife . com . ■
OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Prohibition . Prohibitions against operating under the influence are as follows : A person may not operate or attempt to operate a recreational vehicle :
• While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or a combination of liquor and drugs ;
• If 21 years of age or older , while having 0.08 % or more by weight of alcohol in that person ’ s blood ; or
• If less than 21 years of age , while having any amount of alcohol in the blood .
Penalties . A person who violates this section commits a Class D crime . In determining an appropriate sentence , refusal to submit to a chemical test must in every case be an aggravating factor . In the following cases the following minimum penalties apply .
A . In the case of a person having no previous convictions of a violation of subsection 1-A within the previous 6-year period , the fine may not be less than $ 400 . If that person was adjudicated within the previous 6-year period for failure to comply with the duty to submit to and complete a blood-alcohol test under section 10702 , subsection 1 , the fine may not be less than $ 500 . A conviction under this paragraph must include a period of incarceration of not less than 48 hours , none of which may be suspended , when the person :
• Was tested as having a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 % or more ;
• Failed or refused to stop upon request or signal of an officer in uniform , pursuant to section 6953 or 10651 , during the operation that resulted in prosecution for operating under the influence or with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 % or more ; or
• Failed to submit to a chemical test to determine that person ’ s blood-alcohol level or drug concentration , requested by a law enforcement officer on the occasion that resulted in the conviction .
Administering chemical tests ; breath , blood , or urine test . If the law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe a person operated or attempted to operate a watercraft , snowmobile , or ATV while under the influence of intoxicating liquor , drugs , or a combination of liquor and drugs , then that person has a duty to submit to chemical tests . The officer shall inform the person that a breath test will be administered , unless , in the determination of the officer , it is unreasonable for a breath test to be administered , in which case a blood , or urine test must be administered . The law enforcement officer may determine which type of breath test , as described in subsection 5 will be administered . For more detailed information see Title 12 , chapter 911 , subsection 10703 .
2023-24 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES ATV & SNOWMOBILE