Snowmobilers Are Warned: Defacing Trail Signs Can Kill

There are always risks involved when you participate in outdoor winter activities like snowmobiling.  Besides the risk of an accident or injury, one of the biggest concerns for local communities and ski areas is the removal of trail markers and signs that keep snowmobile operators and pedestrians on marked trails. 

Trail signs give directions warn about stopping to prevent an accident because of cross traffic, or to ensure that a snowmobile operator is aware that there is a curve further ahead on the trail. 

Failing to find a trail in the middle of winter (or removing a sign like the one you see to the right) can be deadly to even the most experienced snowmobile operator.  Without these signs, there would be collisions among operators and pedestrians resulting in unnecessary injuries- or even deaths.

On top of the risks described above, the person who steals a sign could face criminal charges of theft, or charges that are even more serious - including criminal negligence.

The Town of Smith Falls has sent a warning to anyone who steals or defaces the signs and markers on their trails.  In the article Snowmobilers Are Warned: Defacing Trail Signs Can Kill, Megan Burke of the Ontario-based Brockville Recorder and Times explains the dangers of stealing and defacing trail signs and directional signs on highways and snowmobile trails in remote areas.

Do you have missing signs on your snowmobile trails? 
Stonehouse Signs offers a full line of Boundary & Trail Markers,
or any other ski sign you require.  Count on Stonehouse for a
high quality, durable outdoor sign with lightning-fast turnaround!

Visit our Ski Page Now!

Snowmobilers are warned: defacing trail signs can kill

By MEGAN BURKE
The Recorder and Times

A snowmobiler becomes lost - someone has stolen directional signs from the trail.

A few things can happen in this scenario. The driver, especially if unfamiliar with the area, may end up completely lost or might not realize a roadway lies ahead, and could collide with another vehicle or snowmobile. That scenario could end in many different ways, including the possibility of a tragic death.

Each year, the Town of Smiths Falls has the task of checking that trail markers and signs on the roadway and at intersections are still there and functioning properly.

This is the same for the local snowmobile club, Rideau Ridge Riders (part of the Leeds-Grenville Snowmobile Association), who check the snowmobile trails for the safety of snowmobilers.

Every year the problem remains the same- there is an issue with theft of signs on the highway and on trails.

"They are either being stolen and used for the person's own use in their house or on their property, or they are being damaged and thrown away," said Constable David Murphy, community service officer for the Smiths Falls Police Service.  "It's like everything else - people get bored and become destructive."

These signs serve a purpose to assist motorists and snowmobilers alike. They give directions, warnings about stopping, that there is a curve ahead and much more.  Without these signs, there would be collisions among operators and possibly pedestrians resulting in injuries and possibly deaths.

The theft of signs also comes at a cost that comes directly out of the pocket of the snowmobile club.  "They are unsure of how many have been stolen or damaged, as different people will replace them and nobody counts them," said Murphy.

The club told police the cost of signs is $7 each and the posts are $6 each.  "It's not huge, but just one being removed could be catastrophic," Murphy added.

Along with the theft of a sign, defacing one with graffiti also becomes an issue.  "Spray-painting graffiti on a street sign can be hazardous," Murphy said.  "That problem usually comes up in the spring time. The weather gets nice, so they start spray-painting.  The Beckwith Street Bridge signs have been defaced with graffiti on several occasions."

There are consequences for those who steal signs, he noted. Anyone who steals signs from a roadway or trail could face criminal charges including theft, or even a more serious charge like criminal negligence.

Anyone who witnesses someone damaging, stealing, moving, defacing or attempting to do anything to any sign, whether on a roadway or snowmobile trail, is asked to call police or Crimestoppers.

Click here to view the entire article!