The Rural Voice, 2002-12, Page 28THE LAW'S ON YOUR TRAILS
New OPP SAFE squads aim to bring safety to snowmobile
trails, other recreational venues
By Bonnie Gropp
T0 most snowmobilers it might seem like a nice gig.
But for members of the Ontario Provincial Police's
SAVE (Snowmobile, All -terrain, Vessel
Enforcement) units, a day on the trails is not all about fun.
With the number of recreational vehicles being used in
the province increasing in recent years, the government
made a commitment to promote safety and to educate the
public, allocating $5 million over five years for this
purpose. In 2000 a total of $1 million went towards the
purchase of equipment for what would become SAVE.
Three teams, based in Odessa (East), Orillia (Central)
and North Bay (North-east) were up and running in the
province last year. .
Each unit has five constables and a sergeant. For
equipment, each team has three Dodge pickups for towing,
six Yamaha ATVs, six Bombardier snowmobiles, a 21 -foot
Seaswirl, 19 -foot Harbercraft and a 14 -foot Bombardier jet
boat.
Though there are only three units, the teams work
throughout the province, usually at the request of
organizations or other OPP detachments. Just this past July
they were in Wingham by the request of a local ATV Club.
"(They) were putting on a safety seminar and requested
that we do a static display and a talk," said Constable
Sheldon Lapworth, who is with the east unit.
As well, SAVE teams are often a presence at poker
rallies, having been called in by the clubs to ensure a safe
event.
"Our job is not to take over the responsibility of the area
detachment, but if they are having a problem we can be
called in to assist. We supplement their force."
24 THE RURAL VOICE
Constable Sheldon Lapworth (above right at an ATV
safety day earlier this year) is part of a team that will try
to reduce the number of snowmobile -related deaths in
Ontario this winter.
While snowmobile deaths were down last year, due in
part to the fact there was not as much snow as in other
years, the numbers are still significant. There were 16
males killed, six on a trail, six off trails and four on a lake.
According to Lapworth, alcohol was a factor in eight of
these deaths, while speed was a factor in six. In five of the
deaths the driver wasn't wearing a helmet.
These statistics represent only the area covered by the
OPP.
When the SAVE teams are on the trails they are
watchful for the same wrongs that a road cop would be.
The Motorized Snowmobile Act is the law regulating
snowmobiling, "the rules of the road," says Lapworth. This
means that snowmobilers must signal for turns, stop at stop
signs and obey the speed limit.
Unfortunately, most would say, the speed limit on trails
is a lowly 50 km an hour, surely an unreasonable speed to
suggest. Lapworth agrees — to a point. "In all honesty we
get asked that question a lot. I can't speak,for every officer
in the province but if you're going above that on a straight
field and can see well ahead, I probably wouldn't ticket
you.
"However, if it's a busy Sunday and there are families
out and you're passing people doing 90, you will get a
ticket."
It's really about common sense, the officer explains.
"Just use your head. I can't say you can go over 50, but in
certain circumstances 50 km an hour probably is too slow.
On the other hand we've ridden lots of trails where 50 is
way too fast."
Specifically, Lapworth describes the tight curving