OPP & OFSC Call For Smart Choices To Save Lives

ORILLIA, ON, Feb. 8 /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are urging snowmobilers to make smart choices and to take more responsibility for their peers for the rest of this winter. The OPP, other police services, and OFSC Snowmobile Trail Officer Patrol (S.T.O.P.) officers will continue to enforce the snowmobile laws to highlight this important safety message.

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.

With more winter ahead, the OPP and the OFSC renew their call for family and friends to help save lives and reduce injuries by speaking out against irresponsible riding and urging their loved ones to make smart choices while snowmobiling.

The OPP is committed to saving lives on Ontario's highways, trails and waterways through the reduction of preventable injury and death. Initiatives are developed and delivered through the Provincial Traffic Safety Program. Visit www.opp.ca for more information.

The OFSC is committed to proactive leadership in promoting safe, responsible riding, on and off Ontario snowmobile trails, by building safer snowmobiling knowledge, attitudes and behaviours through rider education, safety legislation development and enforcement. For more information, visit www.ofsc.on.ca.

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

Follow the OPP at www.twitter.com/OPP_News.

www.opp.ca

For further information: Sergeant Michael PRICE, Coordinator, Off Road Safety Program, Highway Safety Division, Phone: [phone], c [phone]