Canada Safety Council president Emile Therien says the problem is thrill seekers who speed, ride after drinking, at night, and misuse high performance machines that go up to 190 km/h. "They zoom across roads, open water, any surface, no matter how thin the ice or rough the terrain," he remarks. "They're reckless, totally irresponsible."

Therien believes most snowmobile deaths and injuries could be prevented. "Rider responsibility and common sense are critical."

According to the Canada Safety Council the profile of high risk riders is known and can be targeted. 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. The safety implications are obvious - ride sober, on approved trails, at posted speeds. Make sure your visibility is good (e.g. avoid going out into driving snow). Before you go on rivers and lakes check with local authorities to make sure they are safe.

Therien says the solution to reducing snowmobile crashes does not lie in creating new restrictions and regulations that would be difficult, if not impossible, to enforce. Laws for motor vehicles on the road already apply to off-road vehicles. Operating a snowmobile while impaired is a criminal offense, with the same rules and penalties as for drunk driving. That includes high fines, loss of driver's license, a criminal record, and, for subsequent convictions, imprisonment. Helmet use is compulsory for snowmobilers, yet some riders don't wear one.

February 2004

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