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.
SGI is reminding riders to put safety first when snowmobiling. "Snowmobiling is one of the province's most popular winter activities, but it can result in serious injury if people aren't riding safely," said Shannon Ell, SGI's Supervisor of Traffic Safety Promotion. "The good news is that riders can lower their chances of being injured or killed in a crash by following a few simple rules and using common sense." One of the biggest safety issues for snowmobile riders is speeding. The snowmobile speed limit on groomed trails is 80 km/h, but that is only under ideal conditions. Riders should maintain a speed that allows sufficient time to stop if unforeseen hazards arise. Another serious safety problem is impaired riding. "Just like a vehicle, you should never operate a snowmobile after consuming alcohol or drugs," says Ell. "It's dangerous for you and for other riders." In Saskatchewan, helmets are required by law for all snowmobile operators and passengers. It is also the law that children 12 to 15 years of age must be supervised and must complete a safety course before being allowed to operate a snowmobile in public areas. "A safety course is a good idea for any new rider or an experienced rider who wants to refresh their skills," recommends Ell. The Saskatchewan Safety Council, one of SGI's partners in safety, offers safety courses that teach riders how to prevent snowmobile collisions and give them the know-how necessary for survival on trails. See 'Instructors' P.# Con't from P.# The Safety Council has instructors all over the province. The first part of the course is taught in a classroom, while part two involves hands-on training. The course costs $50 for individuals and $110 for families, which includes GST. For more information, contact the Saskatchewan Safety Council at (306) 757-3197. The cost of the course is well worth the money to ensure your safety. Between January 1999 and December 2003, there were 331 snowmobile collisions in Saskatchewan that resulted in casualties Ð 354 injuries and 25 deaths. Alcohol was a factor in 16 of the 25 fatalities.
