SNOWMOBILE SAFETY TIPS

OPP Central Region Traffic Management and the Snowmobile All Terrain Vessel Enforcement (SAVE) team offer the following safety tips for snowmobile operators:

• Never operate while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Remember, no ice is safe ice. Conditions change due to several factors. What was safe last week may not be safe this week.

• Check the ice thickness and quality with local ice hut operators and MNRF before riding on any frozen waterway

• Wear a buoyant snowmobile suit and carry ice picks on you

• Only travel on ice that is already well-tracked and stay on the marked Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) trails.

• Never travel on a closed Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) trail.

• Watch out for obstacles like rocks, stumps, docks, pressure cracks, fishing huts and open water created by bubblers and river mouths.

• Wear a proper snowmobile helmet and ensure it is fastened.

• Carry a fully charged cellular phone in a waterproof case.

• Stop at Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) programs and always have your documentation ready for inspection. The OPP is using radar units to conduct speed enforcement on Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club trails. The speed limit is 50km/h on the OFSC trails and 20km/h on municipal streets. AD{TS5175271}