OPP urges safety as snowmobile season sees multiple fatalities
As snowmobilers take advantage of ideal winter conditions, the Ontario Provincial Police are highlighting the serious dangers on the trails and providing essential safety advice to ensure a fun and safe riding season.
This year’s snowfall in Ontario has created excellent opportunities for riders to get out and enjoy Ontario’s trails.
However, excessive speed, loss of control and alcohol impairment continue to be among the leading contributing factors in snowmobile collisions across the province.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding riders that safety must always remain the top priority.
"OPP West Region members want to avoid a repeat of the 2024-25 riding season, when five riders, unfortunately, lost their lives in fatal, motorized snowmobile collisions,” said Sgt. Ed Sanchuk, in an interview with The Weather Network.
Staying on marked trails also means avoiding waterways. Never assume a lake or river is safe to ride on.
Riders are encouraged to check trail conditions through the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) website before heading out, and always remember to check your local forecast, too.
Thumbnail courtesy of Getty Images/Fred Heinzler/2150162890-170667a.