Stick to approved trails, OPP urges snowmobilers

If you’re thinking of hitting the snowmobile trails this weekend, the Ontario Provincial Police is reminding riders to stay on the open, marked trails.

It offers these safety tips as the OPP joins the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) to kick off Ontario Snowmobile Safety Week from Saturday until Jan. 29.

There have been seven snowmobile fatalities this season — three victims died as a result of their snowmobiles falling through the ice on waterways.

The OPP and OFSC are stressing the importance of using OFSC trails as a safe way to ride.

“We are seeing far too many snowmobilers riding on unsafe ice again this year and our fatalities this season speak volumes about how dangerous this is,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, provincial commander, traffic safety and operational support.

“We are also seeing riders using OFSC trails that are closed, which is against the law. Safe snowmobiling starts with choosing safe, reliable terrain to ride on.”

Some tips for arriving home safely after each ride: Stay on the trail: Staying on open OFSC trails is safer than riding anywhere else. Choose good visibility conditions: Many factors can severely limit your ability to see properly, including snow dust, whiteouts, heavy snow or freezing rain, sun glare, flat light or fog; fogging or icing of a visor or glasses, and darkness or over-riding your headlights. Spread out: Snowmobilers are reminded to keep a safe distance from other riders. Use hand signals: Habitual use of the hand signals is both the courteous and responsible choice, so get in the habit of using them where it is safe and prudent to do so. The hand signals can be found at www.ccso-ccom.ca/hand-signals. Keep right: By deliberately and constantly keeping your sled on the right side of the trail, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of staying out of harm’s way. Be prepared: You can help ensure your safety with preparations like filing a ride plan before leaving, carrying a reliable communications device and a personal tracking unit, always riding with an emergency/ survival kit, and packing spare parts and a tow rope.