Welcome to the
Science Hill Drifters S/C
Signage and Policy Information Page


OFSC Trail Management Policy     ( released Oct. 2 /03 )
It is the policy of the Federation of Snowmobile Clubs to use reasonable efforts to provide valid snowmobile trail permit holders access to a system of trails suitable for use by safe and prudent operators and passengers, always bearing in mind that snowmobiling is essentially an off-road activity taking place in the natural environment.

Assumptions
1. All snowmobiles will be operated under a lawful trail use permit;
2. All operators and passengers willingly use the trails at their own risk;
3. Operators and passengers know and will obey the law, including The Occupiers’ Liability Act, The Motorized Snow Vehicles Act and the Trespass to Property Act;
4. It is recognized and accepted that snowmobiling is essentially an off-road activity taking place in the natural environment;
5. The OFSC is a volunteer-based organization with finite resources and manpower;
6. It is not practical, possible or desirable to maintain all trail uniformly or to remove all potential hazards;
7. The OFSC is providing the privilege of trail access without any guarantee of service or quality;
8. Operators and passengers will not consume alcohol prior to or while using the trails;
9. Operators and passengers will be prudent and responsible and shall ensure that snowmobiles are operated with appropriate care and control at all times;
10. Operators and passengers know how to snowmobile competently and understand that the operation of snowmobiles requires full cognitive abilities;
11. Weather conditions affect trails and snowmobile operation and they may change without warning;
12. The maximum speed on trails is 50km/h unless reduced by law or conditions;
13. There may be permitted users on the trail other than snowmobilers;
14. Operators will stay to the right of the trail notwithstanding that there are no centre lines;
15. Operators know that there may be grooming or other maintenance activities under way at any time of the day or night which may take up the whole or any part of the trail and have the right of way;
16. Operators and passengers know that snowmobile trails are not engineered highways;
17. All operators and passengers know and will adhere to the principles published as the Safe Riders Pledge by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers’ Association;
18. Operators and passengers are aware that emergency and cell phone service may not be available;
19. Operators and passengers are aware that there are generally no legal requirements for signage on trails and, when provided, it is only for the assistance and convenience;
20. Operators and passengers know that snowmobiling on OFSC trails is regarded as a family-oriented activity;
21. Operators and passengers know the unique and particular dangers of ice crossing;
22. The grooming and maintenance of trails, when provided, is meant solely to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of the safe and prudent operators and passengers;
23. Operators and passengers will dress appropriately for all conditions and will have appropriate safety and emergency equipments at all times.





  OFSC Signage Policy changes for the 2002/2003 season

The following is bulletin sent to all clubs

 What Your Club Needs to Know Today About Signage  

 

At the direction of the Board of Governors, the OFSC recently entered into a comprehensive risk management program to protect our insurability and to reduce your exposure to the new $50,000 liability insurance deductible. One of the first areas addressed is trail signage, a top priority identified by clubs and our risk management advisors.

 

The process is being developed by a group of club signage experts. Our entire signage approach is based on providing appropriate visual warnings to safe and prudent riders driving at the legal speed limit or less. It is still evolving and not yet complete, but to clear up any uncertainty, here is the info you need to know for the upcoming season:

 

1. SIGN GUIDE: the previous OFSC Trail Manual has been withdrawn and partially replaced with a laminated Sign Guide (your club was sent several copies), which is not the complete and final document, but is intended to assist clubs putting up signs this fall. Information will follow soon on staking and lake crossings (stakes will likely be orange with white retro reflective, with implementation required by October 15, 2004).

 

2. STOP, STOP AHEAD, SLOW and 50 KM/H are in production and have started shipping. These signs (and those in your current inventory) should be installed for this season as indicated on the Sign Guide and in the instructions below.

 

3. REPLACE CURVE ARROWS: The black on yellow "Curve Arrow' signs presently placed ahead of a curve must be replaced with Slow signs (but must not be removed without a replacement Slow sign).

 

4. CORNER CHEVRONS: DO NOT REMOVE ALL CHEVRONS at this time. Where a slow sign has been placed ahead of the curve, only one chevron should be positioned in the corner of that curve to indicate the direction of the turn. Any other chevrons in that curve must be removed immediately. By October 15, 2004, it is the intention that all remaining chevrons will be replaced by a new OFSC 'Arrow' sign that does not resemble a chevron, and so cannot be mistaken for a 'highway' sign. When a supply of these new arrows is available (commencing in 2003), you can proceed to replace remaining chevrons at your own pace.

 

5. REMOVE IMPROPER CHEVRONS: Any chevron that is not positioned in a corner to mark the direction of the turn must be removed immediately. This especially includes any chevrons where the arrow is pointed up or down. If that chevron was intended as a warning, replace it with a Slow sign.

 

6. SIGN COLOURS: As illustrated on the new Sign Guide, it is intended that signs coloured RED would mean that a rider should stop and pay attention. YELLOW would mean that the rider should slow down. These would be the official OFSC Regulatory and Caution signs. All other signs would be Informational, and by October 15, 2004 must be a colour other than RED or YELLOW. The OFSC intends to provide guidance as to what colour signs such as Moose Crossing, Children at Play, Keep Right, 24 hr Grooming, etc. should be, so until then continue to use these signs, but do not order new ones.

 

7. TRAIL MARKERS: Clubs should continue to use existing triangular markers with an arrow on them to help indicate the trail, but not to mark corners. A standard OFSC marker will be developed, so until then continue to use your signs, but do not order new ones.

 

8. REFURBISHING SIGNS: The OFSC is currently working on a process to reface removed signs at a more affordable cost than buying new ones. Please keep any signs you take down until this information is available.

 

IN CONCLUSION:

Don't panic. The changes noted above will be part of a two year strategy to make OFSC signage more reliable, uniform, simpler, and less work for club volunteers. Please do what you can as and when it is possible for your club, and stay tuned for further updates. Meanwhile, contact your District Signage Coordinator with questions or concerns.

 

 

PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL WITH

YOUR TRAIL BOSS AND SIGNAGE VOLUNTEERS


Notice to All Snowmobilers
Regarding Important Changes to OFSC Trails  
( Nov 19 /02 )

Throughout the upcoming season, snowmobilers will notice many changes on OFSC prescribed trails. Thanks to funding assistance from the Trail Safety & Sustainability (TSS) Program, a partnership between the OFSC and the Province of Ontario, new groomers, bridges and other trail projects will help snowmobilers get around the OFSC system more easily. Among these trail projects is the most comprehensive signage initiative in the history of the sport, a program so ambitious that will take two years to implement.
This new initiative is a simple, user-friendly approach to trail signage. It continues to recognize that snowmobiling is an off-road activity that occurs in a constantly variable natural setting, one that is totally different from travelling on highly engineered, regularly maintained, public roads. It is based on the fundamental assumption that it may not be practical or possible to maintain all OFSC trails at equal consistency or to remove all hazards. The new approach also recognizes the fact that snowmobile clubs and volunteers are under no legal obligation to place any signs on snowmobile trails, but do so as a courtesy and a convenience, to provide visual assistance for riders who are operating their sleds within the law and with care and control.
So from the outset, snowmobilers must clearly understand that the neither the existing OFSC signage system, nor the new approach currently being implemented, meet or were ever intended to meet, highway signage standards. It follows from this knowledge that snowmobilers cannot expect to operate their sleds on OFSC trails in the same manner and at the same high speeds as they may drive their automobiles. In fact, the legal speed limit for snowmobiles on OFSC trails is 50 kph. and the new signage approach continues to account for this basic law.
The new signage approach continues to reminds riders that snowmobiling is an inherently risky activity that each individual chooses to participate in of their own free will and at their sole risk. It also provides ongoing notice to riders of their personal responsibility to choose to ride an OFSC trail in a safe, prudent and lawful manner. Any signage provided by the OFSC for the convenience of snowmobilers is never a substitute for rider knowledge, choice or vigilance.
The new approach continues to make it clear that reckless riders are not welcome on OFSC trails. This small minority of snowmobilers place themselves and others at great risk by deliberately choosing to ride in a way that is not compatible with responsible snowmobiling in the off-road setting offered by OFSC trails, and supported by either our existing or new signage approach.
This season, snowmobilers will see new STOP and STOP AHEAD signs. But snowmobilers should know that even without a STOP sign in place, the law says that snowmobiles must stop at all roads crossings. Snowmobilers will also see more 50 KM/H MAXIMUM SPEED signs, a reminder that this continues to be the maximum legal speed for which our signs and trails are intended. In addition, more SLOW signs will start appearing to warn riders to back off the throttle due to a condition that exists ahead.
A new USE AT OWN RISK sign will also appear. It is designed to remind snowmobilers that they are personally responsible for preparing for and dealing with the inherent risks involved in snowmobiling in an off-road setting. It also reminds riders that each person is responsible for knowing and obeying the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, and that emergency and communication facilities may not be available.
As the new approach is implemented, another plus for safe and prudent riders will be the colour theme. The colour Red is intended to identify signs of high significance. Ignoring the message on a red sign could result in personal injury or death, so riders need to immediately slow down or stop. Yellow signs are intended to denote a cautionary warning. Yellow should indicate to the riders to back off the throttle and prepare to brake or to take corrective steering action. The colour white (and all other colours) are intended to convey advisory, destination, trail designation or hospitality information that may not require any action from the rider. The idea is that riders should be able to use the colour of the sign itself as a visual guide, providing a greater opportunity to concentrate on the trail ahead.
Snowmobiling challenges each rider to deal responsibly with the risks associated with moving a very high tech vehicle through a very low tech environment. The new OFSC approach to signage will continue to assist safe and prudent riders in making smart, legal choices and in continuing to take responsibility for their own actions.
Another change for the 2003 season is that in a few areas, trails will be detoured or even closed thanks to off-season trespassing by ATV riders and other local complications. If you are planning a tour, please check OFSC Trail Conditions Reports at www.ofsc.on.ca under Trails/TrailReports or call ahead to ensure that your proposed route is available.
Snowmobilers also need to know that the OFSC and its member clubs have endorsed a resolution from the international snowmobiling community that encourages riders to avoid consuming any alcohol prior to or during a ride. This “Zero Tolerance” for alcohol dovetails with the OFSC’s longstanding “Don’t Drink and Ride” message and speaks directly to each rider making the smart choice when it comes to snowmobiling and alcohol.
Finally, word has come from the OFSC insurer that alcohol cannot be served, sold or available during club poker runs or rallies. As clubs comply with this new protocol, in some cases it may affect the route, check point placement, or even the continuation of a club poker run, so riders need to be aware that this change is due to new insurance requirements.
For safe, prudent and lawful snowmobilers, the 2002/03 snowmobiling season will offer many enjoyable hours of exceptional trail riding. The OFSC, its clubs and their volunteers have gone to great lengths once again to provide a snowmobile trail system that is second to none. With all of the changes noted above, snowmobilers should expect a stepped-up enforcement presence on OFSC trails this winter as both police forces and S.T.O.P. officers do their part to ensure that OFSC trails remain the safest place to ride a snowmobile.