(WEST PARRY SOUND, ON) – The West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs Snowmobile Trail Officers Program (S.T.O.P.) have patrolled more than 4,000 km of trails in the West Parry Sound District this winter season.
To date, 17 Provincial Offence Notices under the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act (MSVA) have been issued to snow vehicle drivers. The most common offences given are no trail permit, no vehicle documentation and no helmets. One incident involved a careless driving charge when officers were nearly struck by a speeding sled operated by an aggressive driver on the trail.
With Family Day around the corner, OPP and S.T.O.P Officers would like to remind Motorized Snow Vehicle (MSV) enthusiasts to ensure they have all the proper documentation for their sled, have a proper fitting helmet and that they obey all speed limits.
According to the MSVA, no person shall drive a MSV at a greater speed than 20 km/h on a Highway where the speed limit, pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), is 50 km/h or less.
On a trail unless posted otherwise, no person shall drive a MSV at a greater speed than 50 km/h. This includes up to 15 meters off of the trail onto a lake or open body of water.
OPP and S.T.O.P. officers’ partnership is important to make snowmobiling a safe and enjoyable recreational activity for people throughout Ontario.