The Brussels Post, 1972-11-22, Page 28Special SaWy Rules
ALWAYS WEAR A SAFETY HELMET.
WEAR CLOTHING SUITED FOR THE
CLIMATE. AVOID LOOSE CLOTHING. '
BECOME FAMILIAR WITH ALL CONTROLS
BEFORE STARTING.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL WHEN OPERATING
IN CROWDED AREAS.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL WHEN. CARRYING
PASSENGERS.
6. 'USE EXTRA CARE WHEN PULLING
SLEIGHS, OR CUTTER. USE PROPER
7. DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO OPERATE
YOUR SNOWMOBILE WITHOUT INSTRUC-
TIONS AND PERSONAL SUPERVISION.
8. STAY OFF LAKES, RIVERS AND RESER
'VOIRS UNTIL ICE IS SAFE.
9. SLOW DOWN AT NIGHT AND USE EXTRA
'CARE.
DO NOT LITTER. RESPECT OTHERS'
PROPERTY.
ATTENTION
SNOWMOBILE OWNERS
The Seaforth Council seeks the cooperation of
all owners of snowmobiles so that they may con-
tinue to enjoy to the full the sport and at the
same time protect the interests of other citizens.
Please cooperate by:
1. Operating machines as quietly .as possible
and at such times as not to inconvenience
citizens. This means the curtailment of late
at night operation.
2. Avoiding areas where sickness exists such
as the hospital grounds and streets adjacent
to nursing homes.
3. Following all highway traffic regulations
and regulations contained in the Motorized
Snow vehicle Act.
4. Respecting the rights of property owners
and avoiding taking short cuts over private
property.
5. Giving precedence to, pedestrian traffic
remembering that snowmobiles being so low
sometimes can be difficult to see.
NOTICE RE: BY-LAW
Town of Seaforth By-law No. 822, 1970 prohibits
the operation of snowmobiles on public streets in
the Town of Seaforth between the hours of Midnight
and 7 a.m.
The cooperation of all operators is urged.It
would be unfortunate if the actions of a few
operators made necessary restrictive controls
that would curtail the pleasure of other owners.
Protection to Persons
and Property Committee
Seaforth Town Council
Snowmobile accidents
decline in '71-72
During the winter of 1971-72;
the number of fatal, snowmobile
accidents declined 'by 8.9 Per-
cent and the number of deaths
dropped, by 1.7 percent. *The
Canada Safety Council's national
report on snowmobile accidents
just released warns that these
small decreases are no reason
for any complacency. Bruce J.
Legge; Q.C., President of the
Canada Safety Council points out
that in real numbers
'
fatal acci-
dents are down from 112 the pre-
vious year 'to 102 last winter
while deaths are down only by 2
from 118 to 116 -- hardly reason
to believe that the problem is
being solved.
Over half of the fatal snow-
mobile accidents involved collis-
ions with other motor vehicles
(cars, trucks„ buses 'and other
snowmobiles) while almost 15
percent were the result of break-
ing through the Ice on lakes and
rivers or running into open
stretches of water.
Sixty-seven (65.7%) of the
fatal accidents occurred on pub-
lic roads. Another 20 accidents
'Occurred on lakes and rivers
(15 of these accidents resulted in
24 drOWnings), and 13 accidents
happened on private property,
"including eight on railway tracks.
Sixty-nine fatal accidents took
place at night while 24 occurred
during daylight hours (the time
of occurrence, of nine accidents
was unknown).
Ninety-six out of the 116
fatalities were drivers, 1'7 were
passengers and three were
pedestrians. There were 102
males and 14 females killed in
snowmobile accidents during the
winter of 1971-72. The 25-44
age group suffered the most fatal-
ities with 52 followed by the 16-
24 age group with 38 deaths.
Bleven deaths (9.5%) were in the
0-15 age group.
Eighty people died in collis-
ions with motor vehicles, trains,
wires, fences and other objects,.
Fifty-six of these collisions were
with motor vehicles, while eight
people were killed by trains while
travelling on, or alongside the
tracks or while crossing them.
This is up from two the previous
winter.
The operation of snowmobiles
on public roads is still the major
hazard as 66 people were killed
on the roads; 40 on secondary
roads, 19 on municipal streets
and seven on the highways.
The Canada Safety Council
encourages and supports provin-
cial Governments and Munici-
palities in prohibiting the oper-
ation of snowmobiles on public
roads.
The statistics reveal little
change in the overall picture
of snowmobile tragedies.People
are still being killed by the
careless and thoughtless use of
snowmobiles. One victim fell 40
feet to his death when he
dropped into an open quarry.
Snowmobile Safety Tips
TOWING WITH SNOWMOBILES
Sleighs are handy gadgets for snowmobile enthusiasts because
they enable the riders to take additional passengers or extra
supplies with them.
Since sleigh passengers are usually children, it's particularly
important to practice safety when towing.
Use a rigid tow bar, rather than a chain or rope, when
towing a sleigh. If you don't, and have to stop suddenly, the
sleigh will run into the back of the snowmobile. The rigid tow
bar will also afford better control on turns. If you're towing
a sleighfull of children or a skier, ask someone to ride on the
snowmobile with you to act as observer. This is a necessary
precaution because the noise of your snowmobile engine may
drown out shouts from the persons being towed.
When towing, pay particular attention to avoiding ditches,
rocks and bushes. Drive more slowly and defensively too.
Only an experienced skier should take a tow from a snow-
mobile. This activity, called "ski-joring," should be done only
in areas free of obstructions; an open pasture or a golf course
would be suitable.
COME and SEE the COMPLETE LINE of
RUPP SNOWMOBILES'
at
H. LOBB and
SONS LTD.
BAYFIELD ROAD CLINTON
— Phone 482-9431
OLDER MODELS ARE NOW AVAILABLE --
PARTS and SERVICE for ALL MAKES,
10—HURON EXPOSITOR SUPPLEMENT, NOV. 30, 1972