BC RCMP are hoping people will help them identify the driver of a white sedan who was transporting a snowmobile on its roof.
Cpl. Mike Halskov says police believe the vehicle was seen in both the Kamloops and Grand Forks areas sometime last week, adding it may be registered in Alberta.
He says police have several questions for the driver.
“Whether or not the roof rack is mounted securely to the car to be able to handle the weight of the snowmobile, which is probably in excess of 500 lbs,” Halskov said.
“The other thing I would question is whether or not the structural components of the roof are actually strong enough to withstand that kind of weight, and the forces that are going to be acting on that vehicle as it travels at highway speeds with that snowmobile on its roof.”
Halskov says there’s a risk that – if not properly secured – the snowmobile could come lose and cause a crash with other vehicles on the highway.
“It maybe one of those grey areas,” he noted, when asked about the legality of transporting a snowmobile on the roof of a sedan instead of in the bed of a pickup truck or on a trailer.
“I would frown upon it until I’ve had an opportunity to examine it more closely, including maybe bringing in somebody who is more knowledgeable on that topic like a commercial vehicle inspector.”
Halskov admits it’s the first time he has seen an incident like this in his 20 years of working in traffic services. And he notes police are also wondering how the driver managed to get the snowmobile on the roof of the car.
@BCRCMPTraffic has some questions for the driver of this car, seen in the Kamloops & Grand Forks areas. First, how’d you get it on the roof? Seriously, this is potentially dangerous if the roof can’t support the weight & load securement is questionable. Call if you can identify! pic.twitter.com/JHZnvZxaL6
— BC RCMP Traffic (@BCRCMPTraffic) January 7, 2020
