Loading...
The Citizen, 2003-01-15, Page 9Ay/fj77//7/7///w7P CR/l/G N/CHOLSOM Taking action against alcohol By Craig Nicholson (©2002 by Craig Nicholson. All rights reserved.) Last winter I came across three adult males stopped at a rest cabin. These avid riders were drinking beer carried on their sleds. If these ordinary guys needed a drink that badly to make their snowmobiling enjoyable, then we are in worse trouble than I thought. More often than not, the public and media already perceive us as a bunch of drunken yahoos. It doesn't help that alcohol consumption while snowmobiling is a major contributing cause of fatalities. More so than it is in boating ATVing or driving a car. And if there are many other snowmobilers who share the drinking while riding habit, then how can we improve the situation? The snowmobiling community is taking a real shot at it this winter. At the International Snowmobile Congress last June. 23 snow­ mobiling states and 12 Canadian provinces/ territories unanimously endorsed a zero tolerance for alcohol position while riding a snowmobile, Their goal is to use peer pressure to encourage riders to abstain from alcohol before and during any ride. That means not drinking alcohol during breaks and meals, waiting until the sleds are put away for the night instead. Zero tolerance asks snowmobilers to take a pledge to avoid alcohol while riding, under the banner: "Zero tolerance I say, 'Til I'm Done For the Day.” Riders will signify their commitment by placing a brightly coloured plastic sleeve on the grab handle of one ski. Equally important, every snowmobiler is encouraged not to ride with anyone who consumes alcohol while snowmobiling. Zero tolerance will meet signifi­ cant resistance from some parts of the snowmobiling community. It isn’t an easy task to change attitudes and behaviours, so any measurable difference will take time. But slow Fight you for it Broomball squads took to the ice at Blyth’s arena this past weekend competing in a broombal! tournament. A Winthrop Wildcat and a member of the Sonics struggle for control of the ball in this match. (Vicky Bremner photo) progress should not mask two important milestones: one, the leaders of organized snowmobiling realize how serious this problem is and are taking decisive action. And two. as a result, all those responsible snowmobilers are now empowered to stand up and be counted in saying “NO!” to drinking while riding. If road safety history is any indication, there will always be a minority who drink and drive, despite more severe penalties and a greater social stigma. But society realizes they are not representative of how most drivers behave. Hopefully, this realization will develop for snowmobiling too as zero tolerance for alcohol gains acceptance. Mean-while, snowmobiling is collectively trying to meet the challenge, and that’s better for our safety and our image too. To those who may argue that zero tolerance whittles away at their riding freedom, I say that this is a only minor inconvenience compared to how snowmobiling could be shut down if we don't get our act together. We are already fighting uphill environmental, trail usage and image battles, not to mention liability insurance difficulties. Drinking and riding can only add fuel to the fire, so why offer that opportunity? For my money, anyone who doesn’t embrace zero tolerance simply doesn’t comprehend the magnitude of what’s at stake. Until next time, remember that snowmobiling is an off road activity — Use OFSC trails At Your Own Risk. For trail condition reports check www.ofsc.on.ca Craig Nicholson is a regular contributor to Snow Goer, Canada's Snowmobiling Magazine. The Intrepid Snowmobiler also appears on radio and on Snowmobiler Television. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author. THE CITIZEhl, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2003. PAGE 9. Man in the making Late last week conditions were perfect for'building a snowman, as Colton, left and Shalynn Inkster discovered while enjoying some outdoor fun. (Vicky Bremner photo) Heart and Stroke starts campaign Paint the Town Red is an annual program run by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The program runs Jan. 15 - Feb. 14 in various businesses and organizations throughout Oxford, Huron and Perth Counties. With the help of these organizations The Heart and Stroke Curlers end first draw Winners of the December Brussels curling draw are: first, 47 points, Orval Bauer, Fran Bremner, Steve Knight, Mike Thomas; second, 40, Bob Alexander, Dona Knight, Ken Jones, Amanda Dorsch; third, 38, Tom Warwick, Jo-Ann McDonald, Jeff Cardiff, Marnie Dingman; fourth, 36, Doug Dale, Rose Whiteley, Bri’an Warwick, Shirley Wheeler. Foundation is raising funds for research and development. For every $2 donation, people can show someone how much they care by writing their name on a red paper heart. These hearts are then displayed locally. Last year the campaign raised $14,000. The Foundation wants to surpass that total this year. “Your Arctic Cat Sledquarters” ARCTIC CAT® What Snowmobiling s All About.™ Service to most makes of small engines Jim Bauer Automotive farm and tire service 519-345-2248 Mike Kells G&M Auto Parts Auto Parts Plus We stock a full line of snowmobile parts & accessories See us for your snowmobiling needs! ’’Quality Parts plus Personal Service” Ttirnberry St., Brussels 887-8002 fax 887-8004 • Snowmobile Oil • Gasoline Treatment Spark Plugs • Select Snowmobile Belts available • Super Unleaded Gasoline "Leave Your Tracks On The Trail" Trail Permits Available Radford Auto, Farm & Industrial Parts 523-9681 Blyth