Snowmobile patrols charge unsafe sledders over long weekend

A snowmobiler rides through one of the few trails currently open in Simcoe County. (Ian Duffy/CTV News).

OPP had snowmobile patrols conducting enforcement throughout the Collingwood and Dufferin regions over the Family Day long weekend and said they laid around 20 charges and seven warnings out of nearly 140 checked sledders.

OPP said out of 33 snowmobiles that they checked, they said they laid two charges and two warnings related to alcohol on Friday in Dufferin.

In Collingwood on Saturday, police said they checked roughly 60 snowmobiles, resulting in 10 charges and five warnings connected to alcohol with one operator given a licence suspension for seven days.

As the patrols continued on Sunday, with OPP checking 45 snowmobiles, most of the eight charges were chin-strap violations and improper mufflers. There was just one speeding offence and one sledder charged for open alcohol, police said.

Authorities are reminding all snowmobile drivers to prioritize safety when out on their sleds.

They urge riders to wear proper safety equipment including securely fastened helmets.

Police are reinforcing drivers to drive at safe speeds, stay on marked and open trails, and to check the trail status and conditions.

Finally, OPP is reminding sledders to not drink or do drugs while out on their snowmobiles.