Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) Programs on Roadways and Trails This Weekend Here in North Simcoe

(MIDLAND, ON) – Members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment  have been participating in the Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere R.I.D.E. program on OPP patrolled roadways and trails here in North Simcoe since November 22, 2024 and this weekend will be no different.

Officers, in the interest of road/trail safety have been applying the R.I.D.E. program to a number of area Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) trails, and area roadways as follows.

Over 120 separate R.I.D.E. check programs have been conducted by Detachment officers resulting 1753 vehicles & drivers have been checked on roadways and 140 snowmobiles & operators have been checked on area trails.

Officers on the trail system have been also been focusing on complaints from landowners and community members in regards to safe operation of legally equipped snowmobiles. Education and enforcement action has resulted in the following.

• Over five offence notices have been issued for operating a snowmobile upon a trail with an improper muffler
• Numerous notices have been issued for operating a snowmobile upon a trail without current validation, trail permit, driving while under suspension, operating without insurance, to name a few as well, numerous operators have been warned for other Provincial Offences violations when stopped along the trail.

With the warmer weather approaching our area this evening, snowmobilers planning to head out on the OFSC trail system would be well advised to check on the following website link to ensure the trail is still open for use – Snowmobiling Ontario

It also goes without saying that it is still early in the cold weather winter season for local ice conditions to be up to expectations for ice surface travel by foot or by machine. Always remember that, “No Ice Is Safe Ice” and to check the ice surface or inquire with local residents, ice hut operators, weather stations or any other reliable source before heading out and possibly going through into the frigid waters below. Ultimately, you may be risking your life, the lives of others possibly with you and that of emergency service responders tasked to rescue you, or worse to locate and remove you from the lake.

Although the OPP runs its annual Festive RIDE campaign during the holiday season, RIDE spot checks are conducted throughout the year, 24/7. The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads & trails through enforcement and public education so riders can expect to see OPP officers on the trail system day and night hours. Also, it can be expected that uniform road patrol officers will be conducting Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs at trail heads. The Detachment also works with area safety partners such as MADD Canada, Arrive Alive, The North Simcoe Safe and Sober Awareness Committee and area snowmobile clubs, Georgian Bay Snow Riders (GBSR) and the Baxter Snow Riders (BSR) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

The sport of snowmobiling has many associated inherent risks, dangers and hazards caused by the changing terrain & environment, your machine, and others on their machines to name a few. To help reduce these risks, riders are reminded to always check the Interactive Trail Guide before heading on the trails and wear all of the required safety equipment including floater suits if travelling on frozen water surfaces. It is highly recommended to have a fully charged cell phone with you, let a family member know where your heading to and a return time, load a location app on your cell phone such as What3Words and/or the Interactive Trail Guide and remember that “No Ice Is Safe Ice” . Self rescue maybe your only way out for reasons depicted in the following link – https://twitter.com/OPP_News/status/1342817627077488641