Motorized Snow Vehicle Enforcement

(NORTHUMBERLAND, ON) – On February 28th and March 7th 2015 members from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Snowmobile, All-Terrain, Vessel Enforcement (SAVE) team assisted by a local detachment officer conducted trail and frozen waterway enforcement.

Officers patrolled Rice Lake, Port Hope and the Ganaraska Forest on those dates having contact with 465 riders which resulted in a total of 18 charges. The charges ranged from driving while under suspension, no insurance, and helmet not secured.

Although alcohol was not a factor on these enforcement dates, the OPP would like to remind the pubic that a total of 21 people died (in OPP jurisdiction) while snowmobiling during the 2013-2014 winter season. Alcohol was involved in at least 7 of those incidents and speed was found to be the primary cause in 11 of them. In four of the fatal incidents, the driver lost control. The simple message is to ride sober and maintain a sensible speed (max 50 km/h on trails).

Officers noted that many families were out enjoying the trails on their snow machines and were happy to see police.

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