Yellowknife (Apr 11/03) - Snow machine operators took a refresher course in safety last Friday night, when local law enforcement performed a spot check for equipment and documentation.

The Inuvik RCMP and town bylaw officer took to their sleds to perform checks and issue warnings to operators in the second safety blitz of the season.

Cpl. Merle Carpenter said they are more interested in providing public education than issuing fines and seizing machines.

He said they won't issue a ticket to everyone in violation and will give people a chance to comply.

During the blitz, Carpenter said, about 20 operators were checked for safety equipment and proper documentation.

A total of six snow machines were seized and 12 violation warnings were issued over the evening.

The seized snowmobiles will be returned to their owners once proof of ownership, insurance and registration is produced.

The check is part of an annual program the detachment has been performing since the bylaw was put in place, but with warm weather approaching there will likely be more machines out.

"Every detachment has some type of operational plan to deal with these types of issues," Carpenter said.

"We have lots of snow and lots of snowmobiles so promoting safety and awareness is a big thing to the community."

"The weather's nice, the kids are out, the families are out, so there are more people using machines," he said.

According to the town bylaw, all operators must wear a helmet, hold a valid driver's licence or an all terrain vehicle operator permit, vehicle registration and insurance while operating within 10 kilometres of the town's limits -- and that includes the ice road.

"The ice road is part of the town and it's also considered a highway, so the same rules apply," Carpenter said.