As southern Ontario moves through the dead of winter, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have once again reminded people of the risks involved with using snowmobiles.
Ontario Snowmobile Safety Week takes place from February 9 to February 16, and the OPP has urged snowmobile enthusiasts to ensure they are up to speed on safe travel practices.
"Every year, snowmobilers take unnecessary risks on frozen waterways. With close to 40 per cent of the 145 fatalities occurring on frozen lakes and rivers, these locations account for the highest number of snowmobile deaths," said OPP Constable Chris Ciliska in a media release.
The OPP say 145 snowmobilers were killed in OPP-patrolled areas between the winter of 2014-2025 and the winter of 2023-2024. A snowmobiler was killed northwest of Chesley late Thursday night.
Among the hints for snowmobilers provided by the OPP include staying on the marked, designated trails, obeying speed limits, wearing protective gear, and planning your route ahead of time.
Ciliska added that riding on frozen waterways carries its own brand of risks.
"Riders are reminded that frozen lakes and rivers carry an inherent degree of uncertainty about how safe they are, and the only way to ensure one's safety is to avoid frozen waterways altogether," said Ciliska.
Information on snowmobile safety is provided on the official Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs website.
