Skip to content

OPP target 'preventable' tragedies, urge snowmobilers to be cautious

Four deaths related to snowmobiling have already occurred this year, sergeant says

The OPP slid into Snowmobile Safety Week with a virtual event on Tuesday morning as officials from the OPP and Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) broadcast via Twitter from local trails to promote safe snowmobiling.

“Over the past 10 years, driving too fast for the conditions has been the leading contributing factor in OPP investigated snowmobile deaths," said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique in opening the virtual media conference.

"Alcohol and or drugs were involved in almost half the fatalities (while) 40 per cent of these deaths happened on frozen waterways. Always be mindful that no ice is safe ice,” he said.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt stressed that most OFSC trails are still closed as of today, but hundreds of groomers are out across the province working hard to get trails ready.

“We need to let groomers do their job so you can have an enjoyable and safe time out there. They are still watching for hazards on these trails, and they need to make sure they are safe before you go out,” he said.

Staff Sgt. Andre Barrette from Cochrane says there are plenty of trails currently open on private property, and noted the OPP has already had to deal with tragedy this winter.

“We’ve already had a few sleds that have gone through...We’ve had a lot of offences that have been occurring since the start of the season. Those include speeding, as well as failing to display trail permits,” he said.

“We’ve had six or seven personal injury collisions already this year, one of those with some serious injuries that were reported as well."

Schmidt says the OPP has already investigated four deaths this year related to snowmobiling. One of those occurred Sunday in nearby Georgian Bay Township on closed OFSC trails.

Sgt. Paul Beaton says while some of those fatalities were related to alcohol and drugs, others were due to operating on thin ice, and not being aware of one's own abilities as a rider.

“These are all preventable collisions, and they are all tragic. A lot of people enjoy this activity, it is fun, it’s a very short season, but please do it safely. Some of the best stories you could share are the happy times you have with friends and family, and not the tragic ones,” he said.

Solicitor General Sylvia Jones was on hand during the event to remind people to be aware, prepared, and cautious when snowmobiling this winter.

“Know the rules, follow the rules, carry an emergency kit, and be ready for the unexpected at all times. Especially on trails with other users such as pedestrians or skiers,” she said.

“Responsible snowmobiling means staying alert so everyone can get outside and embrace winter in a safe way.”

Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney also offered some safety advice for Snowmobile Safety Week.

“Snowmobiling can be a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the winter weather, but it’s important to keep yourself and those around you safe while doing so,” she said.

“Follow the trail rules, ride according to weather conditions, avoid riding on frozen waterways where ice thickness can be unpredictable, and never operate a snowmobile while being impaired by drugs or alcohol. It’s dangerous and against the law.”

OFSC CEO Ryan Eickmeier says Ontario snowmobile riders are fortunate to have generous landowners who open their trails to the public for the winter months.

“It comes with a responsibility for our riders out there. It means staying on marked trails, checking the interactive trail guide before heading out to make sure the trial is available," he said.

"Landowner rights are something that can go away if we aren’t acting responsible on the trail. That also means staying within the speed limit, riding to your ability and not beyond it, and ensuring all of your partners are doing the same,” he said.

Eickmeier encourages riders to access OFSC.on.ca before heading out for the day to get all the information they will need to plan their trip.


Reader Feedback

Tyler Evans

About the Author: Tyler Evans

Tyler Evans got his start in the news business when he was just 15-years-old and now serves as a video producer and reporter with OrilliaMatters
Read more