Snowmobile tips to keep you safe this winter: OPP
Posted Jan 24, 2016 05:36:51 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Snowmobile safety is serious business.
Ontario Provinicial Police will be out in full force during this winter season to make sure driver’s and snowmobile riders are abiding by the law.
If you plan on taking a rip on your sled sometime, please keep in mind these safety tips.
SGT. Lise Grenier who is the Specialized Patrol Co-ordinator for the OPP says numbers of fatalities are down but drinking and riding remain an issue.
“Last season, 58 per cent of the fatalities were involving alcohol and the same were involving speed. Alcohol and operating any type of motor vehicle just does not mix. Especially on a snowmobile, with the lack of protection, there’s some concerns there with injuring yourself or someone else on the trail. So, we’re just encouraging the snowmobilers to enjoy the season, be safe, never drink and ride, slow down, never operate a snowmobile beyond your means, they are quite powerful nowadays so good training is always good to have. Make sure you wear the proper equipment and suitable helmets. Also, keep in mind to bring extra warm clothing because we never know what kind of weather we are going to have out there.”
Other tips to remember, Grenier says “avoid the trails that are not open, not groomed and not maintained. Going on trails that have not been looked after, there’s possibilities for collisions there and injuries. Right now, stay off the ice. Ice generally is not safe but we just have not had the cold weather for the water to freeze appropriately for riders to ride on.”
Also, if you are riding near a roadway or entering trails, here’s a law you need to remember.
“Anytime a snowmobile comes up to a roadway intersecting from a trail, you have to come to a complete stop, Grenier says. Whether there is a sign there or not. That is mandatory and there is an offence under the motorized vehicle act for that. Always be careful especially if you’re riding on a roadway when you’re coming up to an intersection or a driveway, the snow could be so high you can’t see vehicles coming out. Generally, slow down, abide by the rules of the road and be safe.”
Some things driver’s need to be aware of when the snowmobiles are out there.
Grenier adds “This is a season when snowmobiles are going to be out there. So operators of vehicles are going to need to be aware of that. They need to watch those vehicles coming out of those trails. Distracted driving plays a huge factor in those types of collisions so always be aware of your surroundings.”
