Opinion ID: 2638322
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Chapter Five

Text: [¶ 12] The Act governing motor vehicles, Title 31, consists of eighteen chapters. In the first article of Chapter One, the words this act are defined to mean Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 31-1-101 through 31-4-104. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-1-101(a)(xxii) (LexisNexis 2001). [5] Accordingly, the definitions in § 31-1-101 apply only to Chapters One through Four of Title 31, but not to Chapter Five. Title 31, Chapter Five contains fifteen articles and states the short title of this act to be Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-101 (LexisNexis 2001). The meaning of this act is defined as W.S. § 31-5-101 through XX-X-XXXX. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-102(a)(lix) (LexisNexis 2001). [¶ 13] In part, Chapter Five addresses the statutory traffic code and rules of the road. See Johnston v. Wortham Machinery Co., 60 Wyo. 301, 309, 151 P.2d 89, 91 (Wyo. 1944). It defines motor vehicle as every vehicle which is self-propelled except vehicles moved solely by human power and golf carts.... Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-102(a)(xxiv) (LexisNexis 2001). A snowmobile is defined as any mechanically driven vehicle of a type which utilizes sleet type runners, or skis or any endless belt tread or combination of these, designed primarily for operation over snow. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-102(a)(xlv) (LexisNexis 2001) (emphasis added). Chapter Five provides that [t]he provisions of this act relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways subject to certain exceptions not applicable here. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-103 (LexisNexis 2001). Chapter Five's many definitions do not provide a single definition of highway, but define controlled access highways, laned roadway, roadway, street or highway and through highway. Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 31-5-102(a)(vii); (xviii); (xl); (xlix); (li) (LexisNexis 2001). Article Two of Chapter Five provides generally for the operation of vehicles. Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 31-5-201 through 235 (LexisNexis 2001). Specific regulations for certain types of conveyances and drivers have been provided and state that those persons riding bicycles, animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles are granted all the rights and are subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the act except as to those provisions which by their very nature can have no application. Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 31-5-107, -702 (LexisNexis 2001). Other provisions supply special regulations for the operation of public vehicles, emergency vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrian vehicles, off-road recreational vehicles when operated on public streets or highways, and bicycles. Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 31-5-105, -106, -115, -124, -701-06 (LexisNexis 2001). [¶ 14] Article Eight applies to snowmobiles and contains only one provision, § 31-5-801. The subsections of § 801 govern snowmobile operations upon Wyoming roads and highways. That statute provides: (a) Snowmobiles may be operated upon the highways of Wyoming subject to the following conditions: (i) Snowmobiles may be operated within the right-of-way but not on the main traveled roadway except as provided hereafter; (ii) Crossings of main-traveled roadways shall be made at right angles to the roadway or as nearly so as practicable, but in any case yielding the right-of-way to all traffic in the main-traveled roadway; (iii) Snowmobiles may be operated on the highways within the cities and towns pursuant to ordinance; (iv) Snowmobiles may be operated on the main-traveled roadway when the highway is closed to wheeled vehicular traffic or subject to approval of the state highway department, upon a designated and posted portion of a state roadway within the boundaries of a national park; (v) If allowed by the county commissioners, snowmobiles may be operated on a designated and posted portion of a county roadway. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-801 (LexisNexis 2001) (emphasis added). [¶ 15] Under subsection (a)(iv) permitting snowmobile operation on highways closed to wheeled vehicular traffic, Wyoming, through its Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources/Division of State Parks and Historic Sites and through cooperation agreements with the U.S. Forest Service, has developed extensive snowmobile trails across the state and divided the state into eleven snowmobile areas. The Wyoming Range snowmobile area covers the southwest area of the state and to its north are snowmobile areas in the Continental Divide Region, the Grand Teton National Park, and the Yellowstone National Park. When not closed during winter, Greys River Road is also known as Forest Service Road 10138; however, during winter it is closed to wheeled traffic and is a trail in the Wyoming Range snowmobile area. Generally, the Greys River Road snowmobile trail travels east of Alpine for some distance and then diverts southerly. The Wyoming Range trail system is maintained through efforts of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources/Division of State Parks and Historic Sites, the U.S. Forest Service, and local snowmobile clubs. [¶ 16] The Robertses contend that the Legislature did not intend that Chapter Five's rules of the road should apply to a groomed snowmobile trail. They base their assertion on the definitions found in § 31-1-101 which, as we have already discussed, differ from the definitions found in § 31-5-102. Because the definitions of § 31-1-101 apply only to Chapters One through Four, the legislative intent concerning snowmobiles is ascertainable by the Legislature's express inclusion of snowmobiles in Chapter Five's definitions and the specific reference to snowmobiles in Article Eight. § 31-5-102(a)(xlv); § 31-5-801. Plainly, the Legislature considered snowmobiles a vehicle for purposes of Chapter Five and its articles, including Article Two. This trial presented the issue whether the snowmobiles had been operated negligently. The trial court determined that Article Two's provisions generally governing the operation of a vehicle were applicable and instructed the jury accordingly. We agree with the trial court's determination that Article Two's rules of the road provisions apply to snowmobile operations as well as other articles of Chapter Five. Accordingly, we hold that Chapter Five, Article Eight, authorizes the State to allow snowmobile operation on the Greys River Road snowmobile trail, and further, those snowmobiles operating on the snowmobile trail are subject to the applicable statutory provisions of Chapter Five.