Sharp increase in deaths draws call for crackdown `Dumb decisions' blamed for year's 15 fatalities so far
ROBERTA AVERY
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
BARRIE-The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is calling for drastic action to promote safe riding in the wake of a fivefold increase in snowmobile deaths in the province over last season.
"We have to stop people making dumb decisions," said John Blaicher, head of the group's safety program.
There have been 15 snowmobile deaths this winter, compared with three at this point last year.
"The risk-takers include a few who have already become statistics this season. All these deaths were predictable and preventable," Blaicher said.
News of the startling increase in fatalities comes as riders around the world mark International Snowmobile Safety Week.
Last winter season, there were 20 snowmobile fatalities across the province. On average, 30 people die and about 400 end up in hospital in Ontario every winter as a result of snowmobile accidents.
Blaicher heads the safety program for the Barrie-based federation, an umbrella organization of 260 snowmobile clubs, representing about 180,000 riders.
To get the safety message across, he suggests that:
Sleds of snowmobilers convicted of riding while impaired be impounded and sold at auction, with proceeds going to safe driver education programs.
Riders who ignore warnings and head out on unsafe ice be billed for the full cost of rescue if they must be pulled out of frigid water.
Insurance companies refuse coverage to riders who venture out on unsafe ice.
Membership in the federation has doubled since 1989, Blaicher said.
"More and more people are taking up the sport, and most riders are responsible, but the few who are not are endangering people's lives. We have to get the message through that if you make dumb decisions you have to pay."
Ontario Provincial Police Sergeant Dave Fletcher agrees the safety message isn't getting through. "To see these numbers so early in the season is an alarming trend. People don't seem to be listening," he said.
Ninety per cent of snowmobile fatalities involve young male drivers riding at night. Alcohol is a factor in 70 per cent of the deaths. Two of this season's deaths involved riders going through the ice on snow-covered lakes that looked frozen but were only thinly covered.
"Mild temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall have left many bodies of water snow-covered but still unsafe for snowmobile travel," said Inspector Jim Dixon, of the OPP's traffic and marine section.
"Recent snowmobile deaths are a tragic reminder of that."
This week's heavy snowfall has improved trail conditions across the province, and most trails are now open, Blaicher said.
"We want to remind riders that they are safer on the trail system than on lakes and rivers and open fields."