The Rural Voice, 2003-12, Page 42Jf we get normally snowy
winter conditions and if the
average trends of the past
five years hold true, 95
Canadian snowmobile
enthusiasts will not live to see
the flowers of spring.
That's the grim reality of a
winter sport that sees 660,000
registered snowmobiles log
1.65 billion kilometers each
winter.
A report by the Canadian
Institute for Health
Information, released last
January, reveals that
snowmobiling leads to more
serious injuries than any other
winter sport.
The problem, says Emile
Therien, president of the
Canadian Safety Council, is
thrill -seekers who speed, ride
after drinking, at night and
misuse high-performance
machines that go up to 190 km
per hour.
"They zoom across roads,
open water, any surface, no
matter how thin the ice or
rough the terrain," he says.
"They're reckless, totally
irresponsible."
According to the Canadian
Safety Council the profile of high-risk riders is known.
Alcohol, speed and darkness are common factors in
snowmobile crashes. Drowning is a leading cause of death,
and most of the deaths occur off -trail. For those who want
to reduce their risk of injury or death but still enjoy their
snow machine, the implications are obvious: ride sober, on
approved trails, at posted speeds. Make sure your visibility
is good — for example don't go out in driving snow.
Before you go on rivers and lakes, check with local
authorities to make sure they are safe.
Based on a study of 1,046 fatalities between 1987 and
1998, the high risk group includes men in their mid-20s to
30s who operate a snowmobile after drinking on weekend
nights. In the study drivers made up 80 per cent of the
fatalities, compared to under half of highway traffic
fatalities.
Other interesting findings:
• Fatally -injured operators aged 26-35 were about seven
times more likely to have alcohol present in their blood
than those over 55.
• Fatal crashes occurring at night were 6.7 times more
likely than daytime crashes to involve a drinking operator.
• Weekend crashes (Friday night through Sunday) were
almost twice as likely to involve alcohol than those during
the week.
• About 70 per cent of fatally injured operators had alcohol
in their blood, compared to 46 per cent in highway
accidents. Over half of these had a very high blood alcohol
Stayin' alive
Snowmobiling can put jog into the winter
season. Clubs and safety associations
recommend how to prevent,accidents from
killing the fun — and you
By Keith Roulston
38 THE RURAL VOICE
reading of over 150 mg. of
alcohol (the legal limit is 80
mg).
If concern for your own
safety or the safety or your
passengers or others on the
trail doesn't convince you not
to take a nip for warmth, the
Mid -Ontario Snowmobile
Trails association reminds
drivers that those caught under
the influence of alcohol while
operating a snowmobile are
subject to the same conditions
under the Criminal Code of
Canada as those driving cars
while drunk. If convicted you
will lose all driving privileges
including cars, trucks,
motorcycles, off-road vehicles
and snowmobiles.
Not only does alcohol
increase your likelihood of
being in an accident because it
impairs your perception and
reaction time, but if you are in
an accident you're likely to be
in a remote area and may have
to wait for help. Alcohol
increases your susceptibility to
cold and hypothermia and can
decrease your chances of
survival if you have to wait
long for help to arrive.
While there are concerns about boating and other
recreational activities, a 1999-2000 Ontario study showed
that motorized vehicles accounted for almost half of those
hospitalized because of sports/recreational injuries and the
highest proportion, one third, involved snowmobiles.
Snowmobile injuries were also more severe and resulted in
longer hospital stays than other recreational injuries.
But you don't have to put your life at risk while
enjoying your snowmobile. The Canadian Council
for Snowmobile Organizations points out that only
20 per cent of snowmobile fatalities in the past five years
occurred on recognized snowmobile trails despite the fact
probably 80 per cent of the kilometers travelled every year
are on trails. While the organization says the lesson from
this is that there should be more improved trails built for a
' safer riding environment, it also says snowmobilers should
be encouraged to stick to the trails.
Nine of 10 fatalities occur after dark. With today's high-
powered machines, drivers can actually override their
headlights. It's harder to spot potential hazards at night,
particularly if you go off a recognized trail.
The Mid -Ontario Snowmobile Trails association
promotes the idea of defensive snowmobiling. It warns
drivers to look out for:
• Obstacles hidden by the snow.
• Trees and branches on the trail.
• Slow grooming equipment
• On -coming sleds. Engine noise and your helmet may