It’s Ontario Snowmobile Safety Week and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are reminding riders to stay safe on the trails. Avoiding risky behavior is the best way to make it through the season without injury.
Every year, the same dangerous habits lead to snowmobile accidents. Over the past 10 seasons, 145 snowmobilers have died in areas patrolled by the OPP. The main causes of these fatal crashes include speeding, riding too fast for the conditions, and alcohol use. Other factors, such as driver inattention and not wearing a helmet, have also led to deaths.
Frozen lakes and rivers remain some of the most dangerous places for snowmobilers. Nearly 40 percent of snowmobile deaths in the past decade happened on frozen waterways. Ice conditions are never completely predictable, and the only way to stay safe is to avoid riding on lakes and rivers altogether.
Ontario snowmobilers have access to a large network of trails thanks to the hard work of OFSC Snowmobile Clubs. The OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) provides real-time updates on trail conditions to help riders choose safe routes. Snowmobilers should remember that it is illegal to ride on OFSC trails that are closed, which are marked in red on the ITG.
Ontario Snowmobile Safety Week runs from February 10th to 17th. Riders are encouraged to review safety guidelines to protect themselves, their passengers, and others on the trails. More information about the OFSC and snowmobile safety can be found at www.ofsc.on.ca/safety.
Written by: K. Milhomens