Loading...
Goderich Signal Star, 2017-03-15, Page 8Lcoumueu. saNKeR o 8 Signal Star • Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Thirteen fatal snowmobile incidents in past six weeks -more than double toll from last season Same driver Ar behaviours behind deaths (ORILLIA, ON) - With fatal snowmobile incidents now more than double the num- ber this time last season, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Ontario Federa- tion of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are dismayed to see the same behaviours drive the numbers up at an alarm- ing rate. Fatal snowmobile inci- dents and resulting deaths now sit at 20 for the season, compared to eight such inci- dents and 11 deaths to this time last year. Thirteen of the deaths have occurred within the past six weeks. The causes and contributing fac- tors clearly reflect.snowmo- bilers' ongoing disregard for their own safety and that of their fellow riders and passengers: • Twelve of the deceased either collided with a tree, a. rock, a snowbank, a road vehi- cle or another snowmobile. • Speeding excessively, too fast for the conditions and/ or losing control of their snowmobiles were actions in nine of the incidents. . • Four of the snowmobilers were travelling on frozen waterways: Three of them encountered open water and the fourth fell through the ice. Sadly, in one of those inci- dents, a young passenger died. • Driver inattention was the primary cause of four ALL POINTS -FESTIVAL CITY REALTY NEW LISTING NEW LISTING tioid 149 NEWGATE ST, GODERICH $189,900 MLS®636405 50 LIGHTHOUSE ST, GODERICH $419,900 MLS®755549 151 WELLINGTON ST, GODERICH $269,900 MLS®177012 142 BETHUNE CRES, GODERICH $409,900 MLS®155820 j3 10 BAYFIELD TERRACE, BAYFIELD $574,900 MLS®233324 245 DINSLEY ST, BLYTH 1$229,900 MLS®197450 37059 LONDESBORO RD., BENMILLER $249,900 MLS®132050 47 RAGLAN ST. E., GODERICH $259,900 MLS0539893 Iwo # • n 248 BRITANNIA RD W, GOOERICH $399,900 MLS®803940 •-1 c- • I 26 MELBOURNE ST, PORT ALBERT $429,900 MLS®374839 8 LONDON RD., ACW $49,000 MLS®775350 33520 ROWCUFFE DRIVE, CENTRAL HURON $189,900 MLS®456132 BUILDING ONLY 145 HURON RD., GODERICH $280,000 MLS®314628 1 80281 BLUEWATER HWY, GODERICH $1,290,000 MLS®814820 145 HURON RD, GODERICH FOR LEASE $6.35 MLS®983954 fT® DONNY RIVERS 519 525 1773 4 art LYNDA STEPHANIE SMITH CLOET 519.525.1899 519.955.1 176 GOOERICH 519.524.1175 ERIN TODD LAURA WILSON 519.440.2032 519 525 5691 519 525 0511 STANBURY HERMAN 1.877.599.0090 www.coldwellbankerfc.com fatalities. • A lone snowmobiler died of hypothermia after her snowmobile became stuck in the snow - a harsh reminder of what can happen when you do not pack an emer- gency kit for each ride. Seventeen males and three females, which include a 16 -year-old and an 11 -year-old girl, have been killed to date. According to OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, the prominent demographics among the deceased may come as a sur- prise to some and are telling in terms of the attitudes and behaviours among some Ontario snowmobilers. "Men in their fifties and sixties make up the majority of this season's snowmobile deaths, with 15 of the 20 deceased within these age groups. What snowmobilers and their families need to take away from this is that even those with considera- ble driving experience - be it on a snowmobile or in a road vehicle - are equally D with your Community newspaper! OWN labia vulnerable to the inherent risks associated with this popular, yet high-risk recrea- tional sport," said Blair. "A snowmobiler impacting another vehicle or a tree isn't an "accident': It's a preventa- ble incident, often the result of excessive speed and oper- ator inattention. Some snowmobilers do not appre- ciate that they are operating a motor vehicle, machines that are capable of reaching significant speeds. They need to drive with due care and control," said Paul Fife photo Shaughnessy, Executive Director of the OFSC. The OPP is urging snowmo- bilers to stay off lakes and riv- ers, the conditions of which are deteriorating rapidly in many parts of the province. Family members are also encouraged to help their loved ones make smart deci- sions before they head out, to help ensure a safe return home from their ride. The OPP and OFSC are reminding snowmobilers to check for trail status and conditions before each ride. IIH itimIHIHHI ROYAL LEPAGE .YEAR S IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII SINGS 1.115 Heartland Realty larispaadardy Na d.id 0m.1.na 01 Brokerage 10 0 Helping you is what we do. OFFICE 519-524-6789 33 Hamilton St.. Goderich To vievr all our listings go to: www.ripheartland.ca TM Kathy Werner Dawson" Ritgen' 519.524.6789 (off.) 519.524.3759 (c) fir n NEW LISTING 37038 Hemlock Lane, Benmiller $520,000 Call Kathy MLS®669959 Bill Jongejan' 519-525-9287 (c) Jeff Bauer" 519.525.7448 (c) i' '' tit! NEW LISTING 33880'Brindley Beach Rd, ACW 8429,000 MLS®686674 LAKEFRONT LOT 85399 McDonald Ln, ACW 8245,000 CaII Jeff MLS®782336 t RETIREMENT IS LUXURIOUS! 16 Sutton Dr, Goderich 5129,900 Call Jeff MLS®699786 30 Sutton Dr, 8119,900 Call Jeff MLS®134458 'Sales Representative, Shana Barnim' 519-440-8138(c) Layne Lavis' 519.525.1650 (c) NEW PRICE i 297 William St, Exeter $169,000 Call Shane MLS 333190 4 SEASON. 2BR 7-77719 Bluewater Hwy 871,900 CaII Shana MLS®248026 ' COUNTRY LIVING 81946 Pinery Line, ACW $345,000 Call Werner MLS®653473 **Broker Rick Lobb: Broker of Record f -- Tube