Snowmobile Safety Week is underway and runs from Jan. 19 - 27.
The Onario Provincial Police have expressed their concern with the recurring factors in snowmobiler deaths, most notably, those that stem from snowmobilers travelling on unsafe ice.
Three of this season's six snowmobilers who died were travelling on unsafe ice. Two of the snowmobilers went through the ice. In the third ice-related incident, the snowmobiler drove into open water.
Speed, driving too fast for the conditions and alcohol/drugs were factors in the other three fatal incidents.
During the 2017-18 season, three of the 14 snowmobilers who died were also travelling on unsafe ice when they drove into open water. Alcohol/drugs were linked to six of last season's fatalities and speed played a role in five of the deaths.
In an effort to enhance snowmobile safety, the OPP is now engaging its aviation and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Aviation support is an effective tool in a number of situations such as speed enforcement, search and rescue and detecting dangerous snowmobile operation.
UAS support is a valuable resource at snowmobile collision scenes and for accessing locations that are inaccessible by other means.
"The use of OPP aviation and UAS support demonstrates our latest efforts to keep snowmobile communities safe. Despite our commitment to saving lives, our use of innovative technology and our valued partnership with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, it is not enough," said OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, Provincial Commander, Traffic Safety and Operational Support.
"We need all snowmobilers to understand that regardless of where they are riding, the only safe ride is a risk-free ride."
New mandatory alcohol screening laws took effect on Dec. 18, and these laws apply to drivers of all motor vehicles, including snowmobiles.
"Snowmobiling is a great way to explore the province in the winter, but we need everyone to be safe and obey the law. It doesn't matter whether you're driving a snowmobile, a car or any other type of vehicle - there's no place for impaired or unsafe drivers in Ontario," said Kinga Surma, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation.
