NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
**************************
From the desk of Operations Manager Acting Staff Sergeant Paul Potter:
MIDLAND, ON - With the recent lack of snowfall in the patrol area of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), I along with the detachment members would like to remind snowmobile operators and all other ice surface users of some important safety points.
When ice forms early it may look safe but it is likely not yet thick, strong or stable enough to support much weight. Adhering to land-based Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) prescribed trails whenever possible offers the safest snowmobile terrain. They provide many trails that avoid water crossings altogether as well as bridges and culverts to pass over known water crossings safely. For more info please view the following link.
Commercial shipping on Georgian Bay continues at this time of year and as such, ice surface users can expect a large commercial ship into Midland Bay and it's approaches between Dec. 24, 2018 and early January 2019 with a possible escort by a coast guard cutter.
According to the (OFSC) website there are no OFSC trails currently open in the North Simcoe area. Club members are currently using the fall-like conditions to clear and make safe the trail system for snowmobile traffic.
In the meantime until those trails are open, snowmobile operators are reminded that road travel can be dangerous as other road users may not be expecting snowmobile traffic especially if we receive a significant snowfall. For more information please view the following link.
Impaired Driving your car and and Impaired Snowmobiling/ATV operation is all the same so please make the right decision and never drive impaired.
Officers will be on snowmobile patrol once the trails are open and will be checking sleds on the trails and at R.I.D.E. check stops looking for Impaired Drivers and also for proof of a valid driver's license, valid vehicle registration and insurance when required. For more information please view the following link.
Snowmobiling and other ice surface activities are great family outdoor events and we wish everyone to have a safe and memorable experience while participating in these activities in the Heart of Georgian Bay.
**************************
