protective goggles, if the helmet does not have a visor
For snowmobiles
In addition to the mandatory basic equipment provided by the manufacturer, all snowmobiles must be equipped with a red rear brake light, a rear-view mirror firmly attached to the left side of the vehicle and a speedometer.
Modifying any part of a snowmobile’s muffler is strictly prohibited.
Before going on a snowmobile outing
Tell your family or friends where you are going and when you plan to arrive.
Inspect your snowmobile to make sure it is in good mechanical condition.
Wear appropriate clothing to prevent hypothermia.
Bring a first-aid kit and a survival kit.
On the snowmobile trail
Respect your abilities: snowmobiling experience, fatigue, degree of familiarity with your surroundings, etc.
Ride on the right-hand side of the trail.
Reduce your speed when in unfamiliar terrain.
Obey signs and signals.
Be extra cautious when crossing roads and railway tracks.
Obey speed limits!
Unless otherwise indicated, the speed limit when snowmobiling is 70 km/h.
Within 30 metres of a residence, however, the speed limit is 30 km/h, even if no sign is posted.
Snowmobiling at night
Slow down! Your headlight reduces your peripheral field of vision.
Avoid riding alongside roads as lights from other vehicles could blind you.
Snowmobiling on lakes and rivers
Contact local authorities or the local snowmobiling club to check ice conditions.
Wear a life jacket.
Snow-covered obstacles, such as wharves, may also pose a threat, especially at night.
leave children unsupervised with youth snowmobiles
leave young children unattended in snowmobile sleds
go snowmobiling with an infant (infants cannot endure the cold)
Drinking and snowmobiling: same rules, same penalties
Driving a snowmobile when your ability to drive is impaired by alcohol, drugs or medication is prohibited. The Criminal Code also applies to the operation of off-road vehicles.
If you commit an offence under the Highway Safety Code on a public road, trail, or any other area that is not covered by this Code, the same penalties apply as for a driving offence while at the wheel of any other type of motorized vehicle.
Snowmobiling: statistics to think about
Reports from the coroner's office (website in French only) reveal that speeding, drinking and carelessness are the leading causes of fatal snowmobile accidents. Some facts:
approximately 51% of victims are aged between 20 and 39
the proportion of snowmobilers involved in a fatal accident whose blood alcohol concentration was above 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood is considerably higher than the proportion of drivers of other road vehicles
circumstances of death show that snowmobiles are sometimes used to go from one establishment that serves alcohol to another
