The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
With the winter season approaching quickly, the Saskatchewan Safety Council would like to encourage everyone across the province to have a safe snowmobile season. Peter Huebner, who runs the Snowmobile Safety Program for the Saskatchewan Safety Council, says he would like to see a repeat of last year's snowmobile season, where there were no fatalities in the province. "Most of what we call accidents, really aren't, says Huebner. "With caution and foresight, you can eliminate a good nine out of 10 of them." The beginning of the snowmobile season can bring with it some hazardous conditions. With freezing and thawing, thin ice is a major risk for snowmobilers early on. Riders should consider wearing floater suits while on a snowmobile and always have access to an ice pick in case of an emergency. Snowmobilers also need to be aware of freshly fallen snow which can cause ditches, rocks, branches and drainage pipes to be covered. There are some basic tips that you should follow in order to have a safe and enjoyable snowmobile season: Never ride alone. In case of an emergency it is essential to have someone there for help Wear proper snowmobile gear including a helmet Take extra precautions when riding in unfamiliar terrain Don't drink and ride. Alcohol is the cause of almost 70 per cent of all snowmobile incidents Use groomed snowmobile trails to prevent accidents from happening. There are over 10,000 km of groomed trails in Saskatchewan Be careful when crossing roads, highways and railway tracks. Always come to a complete stop before proceeding Remember that the legal speed limit for snowmobiles is 80 km/hour (50 miles/hour) The Saskatchewan Safety Council offers Snowmobile Safety courses around the province each season. For more information on courses in your area please contact the Saskatchewan Safety Council at (306)757-3197.
