Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 07/05) - After receiving several complaints about snowmobile noise in Inuvik in the middle of the night, town council is now considering a bylaw similar to those in Fort McPherson and Tuktoyaktuk, where night time snowmobile use would be restricted.

"We're hearing from the community that people are tired of kids stealing machines and driving them all night," said Mayor Peter Clarkson. "Right now it's a free-for-all. Enough is enough."

In Tuk, except for coming into or out of the community, one cannot operate a snowmobile within town limits between midnight and 7 a.m.

In McPherson, the same thing applies between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

According to Clarkson,, the town's noise bylaw, which was put in place to restrict late-night construction in the summer time, is "too grey to enforce for snowmobile use."

"There is a noise bylaw and I do get complaints, but you have to catch them," said bylaw officer Duane Debastien, adding that his concern is more with the age of the riders and the fact many do not wear helmets. "We won't chase them because that just adds to the danger. What we will be doing is taking pictures and identifying people that way."

Fines range from $75 for not wearing a helmet to $200 for operating an uninsured ATV or snowmobile.