2020-Jan-27
Snowmobile and Ice Safety Awareness Reminder
Please be careful out on the ice and check with local information sources before attempting any ice surface travel. If you must travel on the current ice surface conditions, it is strongly recommended that you: wear proper survival clothing/suit; take a fully charged cell phone with you; and tell a friend, neighbour or family member of your destination. Further safety suggestions from the Red Cross can be found here.
When ice forms early it may look safe but it is likely not yet thick, strong or stable enough to support much weight. Adhering to land-based Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) prescribed trails whenever possible offers the safest snowmobile terrain. The OFSC provide many trail suggestions that avoid water crossings altogether as well as bridges and culverts to pass over known water crossings safely. The OFSC website includes options to ascertain online if trails are safe in your area. If trails are not open, snowmobile operators are reminded that road travel can be dangerous as other road users may not be expecting snowmobile traffic.
Lastly, the same laws that apply to impaired driving of your car also apply to impaired driving of snowmobiles, ATVs, Scoots, or Side by Sides. So please make the right decision and Never Drive Impaired.
Officers will be on snowmobile patrol once the trails are open and will be checking sleds on the trails and at R.I.D.E. check stops looking for impaired drivers and also for proof of a valid driver’s license, valid vehicle registration and insurance when required.
For more information on snowmobile and ice safety see:
Ministry of Transportation: Snowmobiling In Ontario
Don’t Go Slip Sliding Away; Ice Safety Tips
Go Snowmobiling Ontario!