· Alcohol PREVENTING INJURIES
Preventing injuries from happening is the best attitude. Although some will still occur, there is much that can be done in the ay of prevention. Snowmobile related injuries and deaths are increasing at an alarming rate. The majority of fatalities involved the use of alcohol and excessive speed. Injuries are not accidents - over 90% of all injuries can be prevented. To prevent injuries one has to consider the following contributing factors:· Unfamiliar terrain
· Night riding
· Driving beyond ones own capabilities
Knowing that injuries can be prevented, there are a number of ways to reduce injury:
· Zero tolerance for alcohol - if you drink, don't drive
· Reduce speed
· Become familiar with potential hazards in area of operation
· New and inexperienced riders should be encouraged to take a safe snowmobile operators course through your local club
Snowmobile deaths and injuries are preventable, and as concerned snowmobilers, we must work together to stop injuries from happening!
· Graduated licensing for snowmobile operators should be mandatory, consistent with the MTO policy on graduated licensing for motor vehicle drivers. Although no direct evidence exists for the effectiveness of graduated licensing on operator's of snowmobiles, graduated licensing has been shown to be effective in reducing motor vehicle-related deaths. Newly licensed operators should be restricted to snowmobiling during daylight hours on groomed trails only, with zero tolerance for alcohol consumption and/or speeding.
· Snowmobilers should travel at safe speeds, especially on unfamiliar or rugged terrain where hazards, such as difficult-to-see barbed wire, may be encountered.
· Snowmobilers should wear well-insulated protective clothing, including goggles and waterproof snowmobile suits, gloves, and rubber-bottomed boots. All drivers and passengers should wear helmets approved by DOT while operating motorized vehicles such as snowmobiles. Operators should carry a first aid kit, a survival kit that includes flares, and if practical, a cellular phone. Snowmobilers should travel in groups of 2 or more and only on designated, marked off road trails away from, waterways, railroads, and pedestrian traffic. The weather forecast should be checked before snowmobiling. Operators should know the signs of hypothermia and regularly check for frostbite.
· Snowmobilers should avoid snowmobiling on ice, if they are uncertain about its thickness or condition. The condition of the trails also should be determined, and where appropriate, avalanche danger should be ascertained.
· Snowmobilers should not carry more than 1 passenger. If the need should arise to tow a person, the risk of injury is reduced by using a sled or cutter attached to the snowmobile by a rigid bar connection. The driver should travel at a slow speed over level terrain away from trees, rocks, and other vehicles, and a spotter should be used to watch the individual(s) being towed.
· Snowmobiles must be well-maintained. Appropriate precautions should be
taken by persons when fueling snowmobiles to avoid burns and when loading
snowmobiles on and off trailers to prevent strains and crush injuries (Source: Canada Safety Council & Ontario Snowmobile Safety)