Mon Jan 15: City Council Meets Tonight; OPP Warn Snowmobile Trails Still Closed

Plus: It's time for employers to register for the upcoming Regional Job Fair

Photo by Ant Rozetsky on Unsplash

How’s everyone managing the weather – and all of the cancellations and closures that came with it?

Snowmobilers will no doubt be delighted. However, the OPP Traffic Safety and Operational Support division sent a sobering reminder ahead of Snowmobile Safety Week. Deputy Commission Rohan Thompson writes:

“In the past 10 years, 158 snowmobilers did not make it home to their families in what were almost all preventable riding incidents.

Common factors included driving too fast for the conditions, alcohol/drugs and riding on unsafe frozen waterways.

Forty-one (41) per cent of the fatalities were linked to alcohol/drugs and 36 per cent of them occurred on frozen lakes and rivers (in OPP jurisdictions).

Safe and responsible snowmobiling means not going out if there is any doubt about whether it is safe to do so.

This cannot be overstated where frozen waterways are involved, which are never guaranteed to be 100 per cent safe.

Making smart decisions before and during your ride, such as always riding sober and drug-free, is what will get you home to your family.

OPP are asking enthusiasts to stay off the trails until they’re officially open.

Nearly all Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) Trails in the region remain closed:

If you do ride aside from those trails, don’t drink. Owen Sound Police warned yesterday they’re already out conducting snowmobile RIDE checks.

Don’t worry – you can stay in and watch the council meeting!

Owen Sound Council meets tonight with the Open Session starting at 5:30pm. Check out our agenda analysis here, with highlights available to all readers and a deeper dive open to full subscribers.

~ Miranda

P.S. In case you missed it:

Public Notice: Owen Sound Budget Public Meeting to be Held January 29

P.P.S: Full subscribers – read on for news headlines and more information on the upcoming Regional Job Fair, Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser, a flu shot warning from the Health Unit, and more.

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