The Manitoba Driver > Sledders say, ‘Let it snow, let it snow…’

The Manitoba Driver, from Manitoba Public Insurance
December 2007

530 words
Sledders say, ‘Let it snow, let it snow…’

When snowmobiling this winter, you can have fun without risking injury by just keeping a few common-sense safety tips top of mind, experts say.

“Snowmobiling is a great way to enjoy the winter,” says Duncan Stokes, executive director of SNOMAN, a non-profit organization which represents 50 provincial snowmobile clubs. “But it‘s important for everyone who snowmobiles – whether it’s the driver or rider – to remember that practising safety is a must.”

Safe snowmobiling can often avoid tragedy. Last year in Manitoba there were six snowmobiling deaths. Over the last four years there have been a total of 22 snowmobile-related fatalities.

“Absolutely, many of these deaths could have been prevented,” says Stokes. “In some situations alcohol was involved, or speed, or driver inexperience – or a combination of all three. Snowmobiling can appear to be an easy activity, but it does take skill and experience.”

Stokes strongly encourages both novice and experienced riders to take a safety course. Safety Services of Manitoba offers a comprehensive safety course for snowmobiling enthusiasts.

“For anyone who is a relative newcomer to the sport, I would strongly suggest they try to ride with an experienced driver,” says Stokes. “Driver experience is a huge factor in avoiding serious problems.

“Not knowing your limitations as a driver is one of the biggest problems,” he says. “People need to treat the sport with respect.”

With nearly 13,000 kilometres of groomed trails in the province, snowmobiles have few limits as to where they can travel. As technology advances and consumers crave more horsepower, snowmobiles become more powerful and faster each year.

Stokes says snowmobilers need to anticipate potential danger. Helmet and engine noise impair hearing, and conditions such as blowing snow and night driving reduce visibility.

Manitoba Public Insurance offer a few common-sense rules to follow:

Do not drink and ride. Drivers are subject to the same drinking and driving laws taht apply to motor vehicles.
Watch out for thin ice and open water.
Dress properly.
Do not ride alone.
Try to avoid grooming equipment.
Watch for unforeseen obstacles beneath snow, unexpected corners, intersections and stops.
Be extra careful around road and railway crossings.

Snowmobiling requires alertness, caution and attention, says Stokes. A driver’s reaction time and ability to control the sled can be drastically affected after consuming even small amounts of alcohol. Alcohol can affect perception, reaction time, and response to unexpected situations. Alcohol is involved in over 70 per cent of snowmobiling fatalities.

Alcohol also increases a person’s susceptibility to cold and hypothermia. Snowmobilers often have access to remote locations miles away from help. If a situation should occur where help is needed, riders are encouraged to find the nearest ‘warm-up’ shack.

Driving at night presents unique challenges for snowmobilers. A disproportionate number of snowmobiling incidents, including nine out of 10 fatalities, occur after dark.

Overdriving headlights can be a serious problem. Stokes encourages snowmobilers to slow down when riding after dark. Becoming disoriented or lost is much more likely at night. Ride with individuals familiar with the area.

“Snowmobiling is a fantastic pastime,” says Stokes. “But safety is a must.

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Making safety a priority out on the snowmobile trails this winter will keep you happily sledding for years to come.

Photo courtesy of Manitoba Public Insurance