Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation
Transport Canada |
Road Safety Fact Sheet
TP 2436 RS 2000-01
January 2000, revised 2006 |
Snowmobiling is a sport enjoying immense popularity. There are
currently over 700,000 registered snowmobiles in Canada and over 161,000 km of snowmobile
trails.
With the much
publicized and largely preventable snowmobile accidents of the last few years, Transport
Canada reminds all snowmobile enthusiasts that they have it in their power to make
snowmobiling safe and enjoyable. Follow the safety tips at the end of this article!
The Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) believes that there is a link between raising safety awareness
among snowmobilers and decreased fatalities in recent years: Between 1994 and 1999, when
the CCSO began actively promoting safe snowmobiling, fatalities fell by 2%
from 96 to 94 deaths, despite the increased numbers of snowmobile enthusiasts. In the same
five-year period, CCSO membership increased by 40%.
Snowmobilers are encouraged to belong to a recognized Snowmobile
Club.
Snowmobilers should also follow these common sense snowmobiling
safety tips to ensure a safe and happy snowmobiling season:
SAFETY DOs & DONTs
ALWAYS:
Before you set out:
- Inform others of your destination and estimated arrival time.
- Inspect your snowmobile for mechanical integrity.
- Wear suitable clothing to prevent hypothermia remember that
children are particularly susceptible to the cold.
- Carry first aid and survival kits.
- Check local avalanche conditions in avalanche-prone areas; there is a
web site for this at www.avalanche.ca/.
On the trail:
- Ride within your capabilities.
- Use snowmobile trails whenever and wherever practical.
- Stay on the right side of the trail.
- Reduce speed in unfamiliar territory.
- Exercise care when crossing roadways and railway tracks.
At night:
- Slow down! Your headlight limits how far ahead you can see. The
slower you are travelling, the less distance you need to stop.
- Avoid driving along road shoulders where lights from either
snowmobiles or vehicles can cause confusion.
Over lakes and rivers:
- Be aware of ice conditions and, if in doubt, check with local
authorities or your local club.
- Wear flotation-type clothing.
Remember also to treat the outdoors with respect and be
considerate of wildlife!
NEVER:
- Never drive a snowmobile if you are impaired by
alcohol or drugs. "Dont drink and drive" applies to snowmobiles as to any
motor vehicle.
- Never ride on railway tracks.
- Never ride alone.
- Never leave
children unsupervised with "kiddie" snowmobiles.
- Never leave young
children alone in cutters.
- Never travel with babies.
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Remember, safety is everyones business!
For further information or to offer any comments,
contact:
Transport Canada
Road Safety Directorate
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street,
Tower C, Place de Ville
OTTAWA, Ontario K1A 0N5
Tel: 1-800-333-0371 (Toll-free)
1-613-998-8616 (Ottawa region)
Fax: 1-613-998-4831
E-mail: RoadSafetyWebMail@tc.gc.ca
Website: www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety
Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO)
Telephone: 1-514-252-3002
Fax: 1-514-252-0361
http://www.ccso-ccom.ca
International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA)
http://www.snowmobile.org
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