Ontario Speed Limits?

[langow]

I've got a group considering an Ontario ride this year, but noticed that Ontario regulations not. 50kph speed limit. That like 35 mph!!! Seems ridiculous to me. How enforced is this law? What is the fine for a ticket? I can't imagine that anyone would be riding there if they were truly enforcing this.

Any real world experiences here would be welcome.

 

[Zakre]

You are on the right track

 

[Irv]

All depends where you are (Muskoka area seems the worst) and if it is the week-end or not?

The police usually sit on long open stretchs where the pickins are easy but in all my years of sledding, I have never been stopped once.

PM sent.

 

[Grimm]

I got tagged for speeding a couple of years ago while trail riding on a railbed...OPP with vehicle, not sled, was waiting on the road with his radar gun. Gave me a ticket for about $150 for going 50 km over the speed limit.

Like Irv said, there are some areas that are heavily enforced, you just have to know where that is. I find that the closer you are to a larger town, and the busier, ie. fastest trail, the more likely you'll encounter an officer.

 

[pat the rat]

larger city's do watch some but it isnt enforced too much,in our group of riders,we range from 90 to 120 kmph,its fun to let loose once in a while where you have nice long stretches but riding at 160 all day is not for me,my average speed is 100 kmph and ive never been stopped,they do check for insurance and specially trail passes,sticked on the windsheild,i am a trained trail patrol officer,our job is to make sure all riders pay and have their pass sticked on

 

[DUTCH OVEN]

Of all the years ive been riding, Ive never seen them doing radar, but been through alot of R.I.D.E. programs on the weekends, around towns/cities.

 

[Mr Freeze]

Never would have guessed that there were speed limits after seeing what everyone is doing.

 

[thrasher]

Have been stopped several times by the OPP, regular type stop to check for driver's license, insurance, trail pass and plate validation stickers. Mainly on the weekends but also on weekdays in our area, it's no big deal. However, have been stopped once for speeding, radar gunned me accelerating across an open field to 100 kmph. Result, no ticket but got the impression if I was going any faster I probably would have been fined. This was in eastern Ontario, a mixed bag of trails here.
Up north, north of New Lisgard, trails are more open and the OPP are much more forgiving. Our whole group was doing 160+ kmph and got sropped by the OPP on a hydro corridor, they just wanted to have a chat because they hadn't seen anyone in awhile. Now that's hospitallity.
Ontario is a great place to sled, you just drive a speed that is dictated by the terrain and respectful of oncoming sleds and just have fun.

 

[langow]

Thanks. Keep your experiences coming. We're looking to take the snow train north out of the Soo. Possible towns and or stops would be Hearst, Flame Lake, Foleyet, Smooth Rock Falls, Missanabie, Wawa, Hornepayne. That general area between Hearst and Sault St Marie.

Any feedback on the snow train experience itself would be great too.

 

[nards444]

ON Speed limits are usualy 5-10mph slower than what we normally drive. From my experience is nobody really follows them. But as a foreigner that I really hate taking a risk with their cops.

 

[Dano]

As much as 50kms is slow for a posted speed, when signing some of our trails for liability, it would be tuff to post higher speeds. Ontario clubs work on the basses of common sense. Unfortunately, you cant legislate common sense. The unfortunate part is that their is some law enforcement out there that have no concept of common sense and our sport. You can usually avoid those types of officers in the northern part of Ontario or away from town limits. I don't even go close to the towns that are known to have problem cops as some of them just don't like snowmobilers in general.

Dan

 

[Grunter]

You never know where they're gonna be....I've met them all over whenever etc..but generally weekends and the most popular trails..

I don't agree with this speed myself as my machine is impeccably maintained and safely capable of quite a bit more(in any circumstance including hard 90 bends and u-turns like many of you as well I'm sure) - but consider that there are many young & old types using the trails that are not in control of their vehicles and don't maintain either!(dull runners, no studs). What speeds do we post for these guys(50km/hr is too fast for some of these guys). Many officers are fair and understanding but a few of them like anything else pleasure themselves in handing out the tickets...I've been lucky myself at 60km/hr-70km/hr and even 80km/hr in the stretches but I believe it's a combination of things of sled mechanics, you're approach when caught and you're apparent over all commitment to snowmobiling! Old unmaintained machines, ripped suits, foggy lenses, busted lenses, bad(unsafe attire) can seperate the haywires(unsafe group) from the hard cores...

You would think that once your out of city limits - they would bend the rules a bit more (many do within reason, I can't complain)...but don't count on it or don't abuse overly...the rest is luck...you can maybe show an officer that you maintain your machine and have the best traction products installed and maintained etc...(I would bend the rules myself for such people as long as they are respectfull types) but I'm not an officer...
if you're 100km/hr over the limit - then be prepared etc...it won't be nice and rightly so!

Many drivers of these very poorly maintained sleds borrow the opposite lane way too much - I have met too many of these guys myself! This is what kills people! Or ones driving with reckless abandon passing on top of hills and around blind corners...

So where's the happy medium? Hope you get a passionate officer which enjoys supporting the sport that so many of us have put tremendous effort in developping

Better yet - keep your sled in top shape and keep to your side of the trail as you would expect from others etc...and drive responsibly! The rest is law & luck! I believe if you're fair, a fair officer should consider etc...

Good luck!

 

[ViperTurboPete]

I've worked with a lot of cops on trails when they want to get out on the sleds. When it comes to speeding, much of it depends on who the officer is. If you get caught, it just could be your unlucky day. Most of the time is spent simply making sure everyone has their paperwork in order (dl's, ownership, insurance, trail pass) and checking for booze. Many charges are also laid in reference to guys with loud pipes in urban areas. Speeding? I haven't seen the radar gun out a whole lot.

My biggest concern is people not staying on their side of the trail. I've witnessed death because of it.

 

[battersea rider]

Got stopped last year on the rail bed in a radar trap we were flyin the cop gave a fine of$110 and also told us its a flat fee no points against your licence,It was like he was trying to justify the fine anyway thats my experence

 

[driftbuster]

After a 17 hour drive through 150 miles of sleet we finally arrived at Bruce Mines. Took the sled off the trailer and drove across a hotel parking lot to a gas station (not across any road), and was given a $150.00 ticket for not wearing a helmet.
Not a good start for a 7 day trip, and diffinitely sours me on returning to Ontario.