As officials from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) assemble for the launch of Snowmobile Safety Week (Jan 18-26, 2020), OPP Killaloe Detachment shares the following safe riding snowmobile TIPS, to ensure riders return home safely after each ride.
Stay On The Trail: Staying on open OFSC trails is safer than riding anywhere else.
Know The Scenario: Like other motorized recreational activities, snowmobiling poses certain risks. Be prepared for the unexpected and avoid unnecessary risks.
Choose The Right Time And Place: Make a smart choice about if, when, and how to ride based on the conditions at the time.
Choose Good Visibility Conditions: On the snow, many factors can severely limit your ability to see properly, including snow dust, white-outs, heavy snow or freezing rain, sun glare, flat or light fog, fogging or icing of visor and or eye glasses and darkness.
Spread Out: Snowmobilers are reminded to keep a safe distance from other riders.
Be Vigilant: You always need to know what is going on around you to be able to properly assess your position and next moves.
Use Hand Signals: The use of hand signals is both courteous and responsible. Hand signals can be found at www.ccso-ccom.ca/hand-signals/.
Keep Right: By choosing to keep your sled to the right side of the trail, you increase your chances of staying out of harm’s way.
Be Prepared: The best plans will have you prepared in the event that an incident occurs. To help ensure your safety make preparations like filing a ride plan before going out, carrying reliable communications devices and always riding with a personal emergency kit.
Snowmobile safety is an important component of the Ontario Provincial Police Traffic Safety Program. The OPP remain committed to ensuring that snowmobiling remains a safe recreational activity in Ontario. The OPP collaborates with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) to promote safe, and enjoyable snowmobiling throughout Ontario.
Please ride smart, ride safe.
Yarmel,C. OPP Killaloe Detachment (2020,Jan.20) Snowmobile Safety Tips [media release]
Schmidt,K. OPP Community Services Coordinator (2020,Jan.20) OPP, MTO & OFSC KICK OFF SNOWMOBILE SAFETY WEEK – OPP to Report on Snowmobile Fatalities [media advisory]
photo wawa-news
Very informative and helpful. Thank you.