TBDHU SAYS SNOWMOBILE SAFETY MUST BE PRIORITY
CAUTION STILL NEEDED THOUGH SNOWMOBILE SAFETY WEEK HAS ENDED
With the OPP reporting one death and 4 injuries since November due to snowmobile collisions in the Northwest region, and several incidents of property damage, Thunder Bay’s SAVE (Snowmobile ATV Vessel Education) is urging sledders of all ages to snowmobile safely during recreation rides and ice fishing.
“The most common careless habits continue to be driving at a speed too fast for conditions, driving after consuming alcohol, and driving on unsafe ice conditions,” says OPP Traffic Staff Sergeant Ken Mantey. “Always drive at safe speeds and be prepared to encounter hazards at any time. This will greatly reduce the risk of an incident.”
The SAVE Committee offers additional advice to remain safe on the trails:
- Listen to the weather forecast before you venture out.
- Wear your gear and carry emergency supplies
- Ride with a buddy and inform someone where you are going and when you plan to return
- Take it easy and slow down at night.
- Don’t consume alcohol while sledding: alcohol affects a driver’s vision, equilibrium balance, coordination and reaction time.
- If you are not sure of the ice conditions do not go out on the ice! Do not trust the judgment of other snowmobilers.
- If you choose to ride on ice, be absolutely certain that the ice is safely frozen.
If you fall through the ice, stay calm.
- Your snowmobile suit and helmet may keep you afloat for several minutes.
- Extend you arms out forward in front of you on the unbroken ice surface to catch yourself.
- Kick your feet to propel yourself onto the ice. If the ice keeps breaking, continue forward moving forward towards the shore or the direction from which you came. Don’t remove your gloves.
- Use anything sharp (ice picks, keys or a knife) to dig into the ice to help you.
- Once you are on the ice, crawl or roll away from the hole. Don’t stand up until you are well away from the hole.
“Even though Snowmobile Safety Week across Ontario is over, we encourage all sledders to keep putting safety into action all year long,” states Judi Marton, Public Health Nurse at Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “We hope people are using common sense out on the trails.”
