The OPP and the OFSC Kick Off Provincial Snowmobile Safety Week

Snowmobile Safety Week runs from January 17th to 25th this year, and so far there have been three snowmobile deaths, all involving alcohol. Last year 21 people died while snowmobiling in OPP jurisdictions. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are telling snowmobilers to take charge of their own safety to eliminate snowmobile deaths. They are offering some advice:
Do not ride if you have consumed alcohol or drugs: Snowmobiling under the influence of any amount of alcohol or drugs carries severe penalties. If convicted of snowmobiling while impaired, a rider could lose all driving privileges (car, truck, motorcycle, off-road vehicles, and snowmobiles). The same “Warn Range” suspensions issued for having a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) between 0.05 and 0.08 mg. that apply to driving a motor vehicle, also apply to driving a snowmobile.
Take it Easy: Always ride within the speed limit, within your own ability and according to current trail and weather conditions.
Slow Down at Night: Ride cautiously at night and never outrun your sled headlights.
Know Before You Go: No ice travel is ever completely safe. Hypothermia or drowning from riding into open water or falling through the ice are serious risks, as are collisions with fixed objects such as docks, ice huts or shorelines.
See and Be Seen: Good judgment, depth perception, and quick reaction time depend on being able to see properly at all times. Slow down and keep right in reduced visibility situations like snow dust, sun glare, heavy falling snow, or when visor or glasses are fogged up; always wear bright colours and reflective materials so others can see you more easily.
Ride with Companions: Never snowmobile alone. Riding buddies can provide immediate assistance for breakdowns, when getting stuck or in emergency situations.
Be Prepared: Snowmobiling incidents occur in unpredictable and uncontrolled natural settings where each rider needs to always expect the unexpected. Snowmobiling can take you far away from emergency assistance, so each rider must be prepared by carrying a tool kit, spare parts, flashlight, first-aid kit, and survival items such as high-energy food, fire-starting equipment and a compass.