Every year, the President of the FCMQ and the members of the Executive Committee take the trails for a 5-day trip with a view to foster safety on the trails. Several press events are held during this initiative.
Trail safety is one of the FCMQ’s greatest priorities. The annual safety caravan allows to meet with the snowmobilers on the trails and in the rest stops to remind them of the rules of safety and of the efforts deployed by the FCMQ to ensure their safety on the trails:
- The clubs’ 1,400 supervisory officers ride the 33,000 kilometres of trails throughout the whole season.
- A provincial team of 50 or so officers patrol the trails at all times and ensure the training of the clubs’ supervisory officers. These provincial officers report directly to the FCMQ.
All the supervisory officers receive training.
- The clubs and the FCMQ work closely with the Sûreté du Québec to patrol the trails on all Québec territory.
- As many as 4,500 volunteers work to ensure the safety of the trails thanks to signage that meets the standards of Transports Québec.
Show pride in your sport, your commitment to safety and your respect for the environment by adhering to the snowmobiler’s code of ethics (in French only).
- Use snowmobiles equipped with the best emission- and noise-reduction technology available.
- Respect the rights of others, including the rights of landowners and of other outdoor recreationists.
Safety on a snowmobile rests on 5 “S” rules:
1. Stick to the speed limits indicated on marked trails
2. Sledding and drinking don’t mix
3. Stick to the right at all times
4. Stop at all road crossings
5. Sustain a reasonable distance with the sledders ahead of you.
We could add a 6th “S”:
Scan your rear-view mirrors regularly.
The FCMQ thanks the following partners for their collaboration in the organization of the safety caravan: the Ministère des Transports, Educ'Alcool, ISMA, Arctic Cat, BRP (Ski-Doo), Polaris, Yamaha, Globalstar, and MaxNeige Insurance Program.