Snowmobile Safety

Snowmobiling is a popular winter activity in the KFL&A area. For some people, snowmobiles are needed to run errands or for emergency travel. Snowmobiles are powerful machines that can go faster than 100 kilometres per hour and weigh over 270 kilograms. Riders can be seriously or fatally hurt if they are thrown off, hit a fixed object such as a tree or go through the ice. In the KFL&A area, men are three times more likely than women to be seen in emergency departments with snowmobile-related injuries.

The size and power of snowmobiles makes them unsafe for children to drive. While there are 'kid-sized' snowmobiles, child injury experts do not recommend them. A child’s perception, field of vision, and motor and judgement skills have not matured enough to make it safe for them to drive snowmobiles.

Follow these tips to stay safe and prevent injuries:

1. Drivers must be at least 12 years old and have a licence (a motorized snow vehicle operator's licence or a valid drivers licence.)  
2. Check the weather. 
3. Inspect your snowmobile before you head out. Be sure you have a full gas tank.
4. Stay on the trails. Know where you are riding, and what the terrain and ice conditions are before you leave. 
5. Wear a helmet if you are a driver or a passenger. It’s the law.
6. Wear the proper gear. 
7. Be prepared. Bring rescue equipment (e.g., a rope, cellphone in a waterproof container, first aid kit, and high-energy food). See the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) What to bring for a complete list.
8. Tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
9. Ride with a partner.
10. Drive sober. It's against the law to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs.  You could lose driving privileges for all vehicles.
11. Know the risks. Snowmobile-related injuries and deaths are often due to not wearing a helmet, driving while impaired, going too fast, on-road riding, and carrying passengers.
12. Take the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs’ (OFSC)  Motorized Snow Vehicle Operator's Course which looks at safe operating practices, the law, first aid and more.   
13. For other tips, rules of the road and information about where you can drive, go to Ontario Ministry of Transportation Snowmobile Safety.

Resources:

• Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations
• Canadian Pediatric Society Position Statement Snowmobile Safety
• Motorized Snow Vehicles Act
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation Snowmobile Safety
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation Snowmobile Handbook
• Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs- OFSC
• Parachute Canada