Tomorrow marks the beginning of International Snowmobile Safety Week.

Manitoba RCMP, Manitoba Public Insurance and Snowmobilers of Manitoba take this time to urge everyone to ride safely while on the trails in our province.

Under law, all riders must wear an approved snowmobile helmet when on their machine and that all riders under the age of 14 must be under adult supervision.

Twenty-eight snowmobile-related deaths have occurred over the past six years, including four in 2025.

Speed was a contributing factor in many of those 28 deaths, as was alcohol impairment, improper or no helmet use, driver inexperience and careless driving.

According to Maria Campos with MPI, January and February have the highest fatality rates among snowmobilers in Manitoba.

MPI collects a $25 non-refundable annual fee on all off-road vehicle registrations on behalf of the Government of Manitoba to support trail maintenance and development, off-road vehicle safety education and training programs, and rehabilitation of public lands impacted by off-road vehicle use.