Online snowmobile safety courses

Online snowmobile safety courses

Clink on the link for US on-line snowmobile safety courses in 5 states.

Read the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act for information on Ontario laws. Here is a succinct list.

Money from this ad donated to CHSLA.ca

Snowmobile incidents 2012 begin to add up.

Snowmobile incidents 2009.

S.T.O.P. on the trails

OPP REPORT:

In Ontario there have been 18 snowmobile-related fatalities already in the 2009 – 2010 season. 93% of these incidents occurred off-trail, on lakes and rivers. This includes two drownings and at least nine on-ice collisions. These kinds of tragedies are largely preventable. Snowmobilers must make personal decisions to ride within the law, slow down, especially after dark, and avoid alcohol or drug consumption – factors that are well-documented causes of snowmobiling incidents. The OFSC also emphasizes that statistically, open OFSC trails remain the safest place to ride a snowmobile with care and control.

For more information on the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, visit e-laws.gov.on.ca.

S.T.O.P. Program

The OPP have been vigilant in trying to monitor action on the snow. They have help.

The sledders who participate, and the OFSC volunteers committed to having safe use of winters in Muskoka, work with the OPP.

In this program, OFSC volunteers are trained by partnering police services, and are sworn in as Special Constables and Provincial Offenses Officers.

They then become members of the Snowmobile Trail Officers Patrol (S.T.O.P.), empowered to enforce provisions of the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act by issuing tickets or making arrests.

Sixty snowmobiles were sold in North America in 1960. Today there are over 300,000 registered snowmobiles in the Province of Ontario.

Estimates are that this sport contributed 1.2 billion over $900 million dollars to the Ontario economy and $3.6 billion in Canada in 2005. Unfortunately, as my regular readers are noticing, there are far too many incidents of fatalities, and serious injuries. The impact on families is huge.

The goals of the S.T.O.P. program are to;

• Increase public awareness of snowmobile safety and the dangers of drinking and riding a snowmobile
• Educate snowmobilers on safety and nuisance concerns and promoting voluntary compliance with the snowmobile laws.
• Enforce the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act (M.S.V.A.) and, where applicable, municipal snowmobile bylaws

They also assist police in enforcing alcohol abuse, a problem as serious as going too fast on unmonitored trails.

The power to write tickets comes from the Provincial Offences Act Section 1(3) and the designation of Special Constables is signed by the Solicitor General. This permits the Commissioner of the O.P.P. to appoint the S.T.O.P. Officers as Special Constables. The O.P.P. Provincial Coordinator holds the signed designation in Orillia empowering the S.T.O.P. Officers to be appointed as Special Constables to enforce the M.S.V.A.

Therefore under the M.S.V.A. a S.T.O.P. Officer can carry out the same duties as a Police Officer by definition (Sec. 53 (3) Police Services Act) and may even make an arrest under Sec. 16(5) of the M.S.V.A.
Facts and Statistics about Snowmobiling - ISMA (International ...

In 2009 there were 147,066 snowmobiles sold worldwide;

• 61,593 were sold in the U.S. and 49,510 were sold in Canada. 
• The average annual household income for snowmobilers is $75,000.
• The average snowmobiler rides their snowmobile 1402 miles per year in North America.
• The average snowmobiler spends $4,000 each year on snowmobile-related recreation.
• Approximately 88% of all active snowmobilers are male; 12% female.
• 54% of the snowmobilers usually trailer their snowmobiles to go riding. 46% either snowmobile from their primary residence or have a vacation home where they keep and use their snowmobiles.
• Approximately 80% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for trail riding and touring on marked and groomed trails. 20% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for work, ice fishing or transportation.
• The average suggested retail price of a new snowmobile sold in 2009 was $8,800 (US Funds).
• There are approximately 1.65 million registered snowmobiles in the US and 765,275 registered snowmobiles in Canada.

The Economic Benefits of Snowmobiling:

• United States - $ 22 billion annually
• Canada - $ 6 billion annually
• Scandinavia - $1.6 billion annually 

in 1999, the Canadian government adopted the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, but the set of rules governing pollution emissions for off-road vehicles was only released in January 2005. ^[15]. Another example of regulation, only four-stroke snowmobiles are allowed in Yellowstone National Park since a bylaw was recently passed to minimize CO₂ emissions and noise.^[16]. In Yellowstone, snowmobiles account for 80% of total hydrocarbons emissions and 50% of carbon monoxides emissions during the winter months.

For more information:

• Carl Eliason's snowmobile story and his Patent
• CBC Digital Archives - Bombardier: The Snowmobile Legacy
• How Stuff Works - Snowmobiles
• Environmental Impact Studies
• The Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations
• The International Association of Snowmobile Manufacturers

At a crossroads

 

We went for a drive on a busy Saturday afternoon.


The drive was lovely, except for concerns about sledders. They are everywhere!
On the bridges... on the roads, popping up over snow drifts.


Happily, we were not in a hurry.

Did you know that they have signals, just like bikers?

We spotted one sled hidden by a snowbank, they were moving carefully across the bridge.


We haven't been up to Rosseau for awhile. Former Bala residents, chefs Richard and Julie, took over one of our favourite restaurants: Crossroads.

Savour Muskoka - Culinary Experiences

Crossroads Pub and Grill. Richard Lalonde has become owner and executive chef. We've been before: We're at the Crossroads

The sledders filled the place this visit, having a grand time, boosting the economy by purchasing gas, too.

They all line up in the parking lot!

Apparently the trail was 'brutal', they told us.
It must be hard on your body.

Safe Riders Program:

The OFSC wants you to Take It Easy

 what you should know (the law), safety tips. and Code of Ethics. and to return home safely. Please take the time to review

Sad news from PEI...

Action taken to restrict speed of snowmobiles: Dog’s death prompts plan to have signs put up


KENSINGTON – Snowmobilers travelling through Kensington along the Confederation Trail will soon have a visual reminder to take things slower.

The P.E.I. Snowmobile Association says it will post 50-km/h speed limit signs along a portion of the trail after a family dog, a golden retriever, was struck and killed by a snowmobiler Wednesday evening (Feb. 3, 2010).

Snowmobile Safety Efforts

This past Saturday and Sunday, January 30-31, Ontario Provincial Police North East Region detachment snowmobile patrols were active.

WITH Ontario's OPP on the bandwagon: augmented with additional detachment officers, members of the OPP Snowmobile, All Terrain Vehicle and Vessel Enforcement team (SAVE), special constables of the Snowmobile Trail Officer Patrol (S.T.O.P.), Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) trail ambassadors, Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers as well as many Municipal and First Nation Police Service members in an all out effort to improve trail safety and encourage safe sledding behaviour through education and enforcement.

This photo  (below, left) shows men who have just filled up at the pub next door in Bala. Here is a RIDE check at highway #169 and #38, just around the corner.
Go to Ontario Snowmobile Reports. The OFSC really promotes education and safety.
As a responsible snowmobiler, I will...

• I will ride in a manner that is a credit to our recreation:
• I will influence other snowmobilers to adhere to this Code of Ethics;
• I will respect the rights of others including property owners and other outdoor enthusiasts;
• I will protect our natural environment;
• I will ride in a responsible manner and will use only marked trails, areas or roads open to snowmobile;
• I will not harass or harm wildlife or the natural surroundings;
• I will minimize my impact on the environment;
• I will ride smart, be prepared and stay in control;
• I will check ice and weather conditions before riding;
• I will help those in distress;
• I will obey all laws and rules governing our recreation;
• I will promote proper snowmobile education and training;
• I will practice Zero Tolerance with respect to impaired driving

See also:

Education for the driving [m]asses: Tip 141 - Safe snowmobiling

Snowmobiling is a sport enjoying immense popularity. There are currently over 600,000 registered snowmobiles in Canada and over 160,000 km of snowmobile trails.

And, again, a US personal story.  An accident that could have been fatal, with an experienced driver, on a new sled, uncomfortable and going 25 mph. Unable to get 911 service, and difficulty with EMS to locate them, this article gives some great ideas.

On our way out from Turner Mountain, we were on the groomed trail, my husband first, Suzanne second, myself and my brother bringing up the rear. About 8 miles from town, we rounded a corner and I watched Suzanne leave the road, pop through a ditch and up a hill. About 10 feet up the hill, her right front ski tapped a huge tree, throwing her off.
She struck the tree full length and dropped to the ground, not moving. Being right behind her, I saw the whole incident, jumped off my sled and stood in the road waving my arms and screaming at my brother, who was right behind me. He jumped off his sled and ran to her while I rode ahead to stop my husband.


Cops caution snowmobilers Selkirk Journal


RCMP caution that people store their snowmobiles in safe places. Locking up the machine and removing some essential components (like a battery terminal or distributor cap) will help make it far tougher for any potential thieves.

Snowmobile safety is also a huge concern for Selkirk RCMP. Snowmobile accidents account for almost half of winter sports injuries, so making sure you're familiar with your snowmobile or ATV and always operating it safely is a must. Staying off unfamiliar bodies of water, particularly later in the season during the spring thaw is very important, as is carrying a survival kit, tools, a first-aid kit, and a trail map and compass. 

2010 Snowmobile Season Off To A Deadly Start Written by Ontario Provincial Police
Monday, January 18th, 2010 - 19:20:21
 
On the snowmobile trails as over 2200 sleds were checked for safety and regulation compliance.

Although speeding was met with strict enforcement, police were pleased with the overall cooperation and compliance shown by sledders - only 40 Motorized Snow Vehicle Act infractions were ticketed. There were no impaired driving charges, however two Liquor Licence Act charges were laid.




AND  USA CAMPAIGN:
Thrills, chills and a near spill in the Valley (USA)
A snowsled odyssey requires prudent speed, no solo riding 
 Part 3 of a three-part series on snowmobiling in Maine.
FORT KENT, Maine — The only thought going through my head as the tree came closer was: “Thank goodness I borrowed that helmet.”
Not exactly the most auspicious start to my morning of snowmobiling adventure in northern Maine, but it was a good lesson in how fast things can go wrong when a 400-pound sled is not given the respect it’s due. My guide for the morning – retired game warden and backcountry sledding guide Gary Pelletier — summed up the mishap in five words: “You were going too fast.” Not that I was zooming down the trail, but given the conditions — an ungroomed, drift-covered trail — I admittedly took the corner a bit too fast.

DNR campaigns for alcohol free snowmobile season

By Gerry Grosenick

Published: Thursday, February 4, 2010

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began a campaign in January to reduce the number of alcohol-related deaths and injuries to snowmobilers.

Snowmobilers receive a wallet-sized card that describes the campaign and explains how and why snowmobilers would benefit from it. They also receive bright yellow Zero Alcohol sticker to place on their sled, helmet, trailer or vehicle.

According to the DNR Web site, 23 people in the US were killed in snowmobiling accidents last year. Alcohol was a factor in 70 % of those fatal accidents.
In addition, snowmobile accidents causing 176 injuries were reported to law enforcement officials during the 2008-09 season.

Snowmobile Speed

People, be careful out there...many Canadians are out on snowmobiles.  Make sure you know the rules of the trail, the ice conditions, and that your loved ones are sober. Stick together and stick to recognized trails.  Ontario Snowmobile Reports. The OFSC provides a lot of information. Sledders can check the OFSC's web-site at www.ofsc.on.cafor updates.

Most snowmobile deaths preventable: federation
Times and Transcript
The figures also show that there were 49510 snowmobiles sold in Canada in 2009, with the total number of vehicles registered across the country standing at 765,275. According to recent RCMP figures, there were eight snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle fatalities in New Brunswick in 2009, following eight in 2008 as well.

As Cindy Smith writes, in Education for the Driving Masses, these are not accidents, when careless driving, excessive speed, ignorance of road, lake or ice conditions, or drunk driving is involved.
Below are the speed limits for snowmobiles. You may find the information on this website of some help. If you are having problems with speeding sleds in your area, you may contact the local OPP detachment. They can arrange for a sled patrol to perform radar enforcement in the problem area.

Speed Limits

50 km/h - on snowmobile trails
20 km/h - on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h or less
50 km/h - on roads where the speed limit is over 50 km/h