NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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As of Jan. 8, 2021 most Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) trails in the Georgian Bay Snowriders Club (GBSR) area were open for use and officers from the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were on patrol checking riders for impairment, equipment and trail passes/licencing. OPP snowmobile patrol officers logged 850 kilometers patrolling area trails between Jan. 5-10, 2021 checking and educating 427 snowmobiles and riders at eight separate trail side locations resulting in 47 warnings and two offence notices for Trespassing and three investigations into improper exhaust systems.
OPP officers on regular patrol also stopped another 66 snowmobiles and riders at road crossings and trail heads resulting in three warnings and three offence notices for Motorized Snow Vehicle Act (MSVA) offences including one investigation where the operator was caught on radar at 140 km/hr on the trail. A report of a two snowmobile crash with no injuries on Murray Road in Penetanguishene was also investigated on the afternoon of Jan. 9, 2021 resulting in MSVA charges for a 47-year-old male of Maple Ontario.
Snowmobile Crash Leads to Impaired Driving
Investigation Jan. 8, 2021 at 8:57 p.m. officers were dispatched to a report of an snowmobiler crashing into the Waubaushene Pier in Waubaushene, Tay Township. The lone driver was transported to Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) for treatment of minor injuries and was also the subject of an impaired driving investigation by attending OPP officers.
As a result of this investigation James Cotton, 42 years old, of Severn Township was charged with Impaired Driving contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. The involved snowmobile was towed and impounded for seven days and the accused was suspended from driving for 90 days as per the conditions of the Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension (ADLS) and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice In Midland on Feb. 25, 2021.
Snowmobile operators are advised to check trail conditions prior to heading out and the following internet web sites can provide an insight into those conditions and whether the trails are open or still closed; Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Mid Ontario Snowmobile Clubs
If you have to travel out onto an ice surface always remember that "No Ice Is Safe Ice" and you need to be aware of current, past weather conditions and recent commercial ice breaking activity along with checking with area residents who have "local knowledge of ice conditions". The following web sites are a must see for those who travel on ice surfaces- Cold Water Boot Camp along with https://twitter.com/OPP_News/status/1342817627077488641
Unlawfully removing trail signs can create some very dangerous situations, if you have knowledge of anyone removing OFSC trail signs please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can submit your information online at www.p3tips.com. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka www.crimestopperssdm.com on Twitter or Facebook.
Police remind snowmobilers that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our trails, through community partnerships we educate the public about safe driving practices - #Never Drive Impaired
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