(MIDLAND,ON) – It was quite the week and a bit for members of the snowmobile patrol attached to the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment during the February 12-20, 2025 time frame as they put on over 80 hours of patrol time ranging from duties at the Penetanguishene Winterama to rescuing motorists snowbound in their vehicles during a blizzard on roadways in Springwater Township..
Officers on sleds checked over 300 snowmobilers for equipment, required licences, registration and trail passes where applicable on the trail and at 12 separate reduce impaired driving everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs checking snowmobilers for signs of impairment in an effort to maintain trail safety.
With a balance between rider education and enforcement in mind, officers deal with issues found on the trails on a daily basis under some extreme weather conditions and welcome your cooperation on the many trails here in North Simcoe.
- 25 riders were warned with a variety of Motorized Snow Vehicle Act (MSVA) offences which were still predominantly for failing to have a currently validated ownership permit for their snowmobile.
- 17 riders were charged with MSVA offences ranging from modified exhaust systems to failing to have trail passes, registration numbers and valid tags.
- No crashes were reported or investigated during this time frame
The officers wish to raise this Did You Know (DYK) question as they are getting complaints about snowmobiles not stopping for stop signs everywhere on the trail system. So, must I stop at those posted OFSC trail stop signs while riding my snowmobile?
Short answer is YES!
A look into the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90m44 reveals the following legislation.
26(3) Every driver of a motorized snow vehicle shall obey the instructions and directions indicated on any sign erected pursuant to regulations made under clause (1) (g). R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44, s. 26 (3).
Total fine is $110.
Coming to a full stop and looking both ways will help prevent an accident, possibly save your life or another persons life and remember, the smallest car is bigger than any snowmobile if you should get hit!
To renew your snow vehicle registration you can visit a Service Ontario centre in person or visit the following site online https://cxp.mgcs.gov.on.ca/cxp-web/licence-plate-renewal/information.
Snowmobiling is a wonderful sport for most family members to enjoy the great outdoors, but sadly we have to attend incidents involving snowmobiles being operated by persons who are suspected of being impaired, or operating carelessly and are tasked with an investigation that will have long lasting effects on all involved, victims and emergency services personnel.
- Ride in control and to the trail conditions
- Obey the posted speed limit.
- Never, ever drive impaired
- No Ice is Safe Ice and be aware of the heavy slush being reported locally on ice surfaces.
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.
All drivers /riders/operators should be aware that the O.P.P. R.I.D.E. program checks are conducted 24/7 all year long. 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 during day time & night time 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
