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OPP drives home snowmobile safety message (4 photos)

Alcohol was a factor in 45 per cent of snowmobile-related fatalities in past decade, OPP reports during Snowmobile Safety Week

The OPP has some advice for reckless riders ready to take risks: “Don’t be that snowmobiler.”

That was the message from Chief Supt. Rohan Thompson, commander of the Highway Safety Division, during an event Wednesday at OPP General Headquarters to mark Snowmobile Safety Week.

Thompson revealed some statistics from the past 10 years. From 2009 to 2019, 175 snowmobile-related fatalities were investigated in Ontario. The most common factors were excessive speed, loss of control, driving too fast for the conditions and impairment by alcohol.

Forty-five per cent of those fatalities involved alcohol.

“Don’t let alcohol or drug be part of the ride,” Thompson said.

Police have a number of tools to spot unsafe snowmobiling practices, including drones and a helicopter equipped with high-tech radar that can spot speeders and reckless drivers.

Forty-five per cent of those who died were riding on frozen lakes or rivers. Some of the incidents happened while snowmobilers were “puddle jumping” or water skipping.

“This practice is senseless and dangerous, yet some snowmobilers see it as a risk worth taking,” Thompson said.

So far this season, there have been three snowmobile-related fatalities in OPP jurisdiction.

Snowmobiling is “a fun family activity,” said Christine Hogarth, parliamentary assistant to the solicitor general.

“Unfortunately, it does have the highest rate of serious injury of any winter sport,” she said, adding people “need to drive home the message to friends.”

Andrew Walasek, director of stakeholder relations with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, said the condition and availability of snowmobile trails are similar to this time last year.

“It’s been pretty good. The rain we had a week ago affected some trails,” he said. “Every day, we’re seeing more trails on the interactive map turn green.”

The federation’s interactive trail guide, which can be found here, marks in green trails that are open. Walasek advises snowmobilers to check the map before heading out.

Stats from 2009 to 2019

  • 32 per cent of snowmobile-related fatalities occurred in February

  • 27 per cent happened on a Saturday

  • 43.4 per cent happened between 6 p.m. and midnight

  • 92 per cent of those who died were driving

  • 25.7 per cent of those who died were between 45 and 54 years old

  • There were more fatalities (34 per cent) in Central Region than in any other region

  • 92 per cent of those who died were males


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Nathan Taylor

About the Author: Nathan Taylor

Nathan Taylor is the desk editor for Village Media's central Ontario news desk in Simcoe County and Newmarket.
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