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Page 15, News, Tuesday, February 11, 1992 Snowmobiler's aren't the lunatics of legend by Craig Nicholson I'm a snowmobiler and I'm upset. Every year there are media reports of snowmobiling accidents that by inference and omission create the impression that anyone who snowmobiles is either dangerous or certifi- able. I prefer to think it's bad breath. Not that snowmobiling can't be dangerous. That potential always exists when motion, hard objects, and humanity combine. Like when I got beaned at a Blue Jays' game. But that doesn't mean that all snowmobilers are reckless. Or that all snowmobiles are wrecked. Or that all spectators get ball-bopped. Media reports Most media reports state that so and so was injured or killed while snowmobiling near such and such a place. They may indicate that a rock or a Car or a tree was involved. And they never miss the oppor- tunity to say that someone went through the ice. As if all ice is too thin. What they rarely note are the real reasons behind the accident. Was excess speed a con- tributing factor? Most snow- mobile accidents involve loss of control or going too fast or both. With the recent prolifer- ation of muscle sleds, speeds are increasing. Certainly the manufacturers must accept some responsibility for this acceleration, but the irrespon- sible drivers of these too-large machines are the real culprits. But not every snowmobiler owns a high performance sled. Or abuses it. Do we need to go so fast? Do we need to have the police enforce trail speed limits as they do in some New England States? Does the Ontario Fed- eration of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) need to consider pro- hibiting muscle machines from our trails? Like on our high- ways, speed is a contributing factor in too many snowmobil- ing accidents. But that doesn't mean that all snowmobilers are reckless speeders. Alcohol related Is the accident alcohol relat- ed? Most are. The sad truth is that too many people drink and drive. It happens on our highways, so it's no surprise on the snow. Too many do on a snowmobile what they might never do in their car. Too few realize that they can lose their driver's license or insur- "Police and _media reports should contain all faster at night and personally, I no longer ride after dark because I don't like the odds. And many other snowmobilers do likewise. Media reports that do indi- cate a collision with a rock or a Car or a tree, or even another machine, often fail to say where the accident occurred. Most do not happen on OFSC trails. So the victims were not snowmobiling in the right place. So whose fault is that? ability from the facts, both to oe snowmobile % ertainly not drinking Ofte promote SNOWMO= iat of the eae es. The Min. Diling safety and sands of snow- istry of Recre- to encourage local oe who ation & regularly use Tourism sedders who OFSC trails (MTR), in SNOwmobile with -- without inci- z 35 cooperation controland care. %"t. The same with the OFSC Safety Commit- tee, has launched a "RIDE SAFE, RIDE SOBER" and "BOOZE 'N SNOW DON'T GO" campaign this season to combat snowmobile bar-hop- ping. But most snowmobilers are not impaired. Darkness is another con- tributing factor. Night driving involves differences in visual perception, temperature and snow conditions that can be lethal. The assumption that one can safely drive off into the night has seen too many snowmobilers lost or injured or worse. How many deaths occur in familiar locale because the rider has become disoriented? Danger happens Thank You Thank you to Chimo Clab members and friends for gifts and cards. Special thanks to 3 Voyageur gals for the asefal gift on my 67th birthday. Thank you (ill Ramo AAU 4 announce the birth of their first child, Heidi Alysha Ashley born January 12, 1992 weighing 8 lbs, 8 oz.Grandparents are Sheila Whitney and Cecile & Wayne Wilson. Special thanks to Daddy for helping mommy throu } }} gh it all. applies to going through that all-too-thin ice. Clubs try to route trails to avoid water crossings entirely, or to cross bridges, or at worst, to choose the safest crossing possible and mark them well. Happen elsewhere The great majority of drownings happen elsewhere, where no one has gone before, where the day-to-day _condi- tions are in doubt, or where there simply was no ice. If you don't know, don't go, and if in EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Immediate opening 1 full time short order cook I part time short order cook full and part time waitress / waiter Send resume to: Box 1210, Terrace Bay Closing date Feb. 14/92 doubt, ask. But the fact is that most drownings do not occur on OFSC trails, so what does that say about where you should be riding? Slanted reports Rarely do I read that the deceased was not wearing a helmet, or that there were three people on a one-person machine, or that the driver was inexperienced or that horseplay was involved or that many of the other contributing factors occurred simultaneously. Just that there was another incident in a lunatic sport. Are we all so dangerous and reckless and careless? I think not. Police and media reports should contain all the facts, both to promote snowmobiling safety and to encourage local sledders who snowmobile with caution, control and care. Then maybe my friends will come out from behind their smirks. And I'll wear my snowmobile helmet to the ball park next summer. Pe ccc ntnr rue cece Phillips - In loving memory of a dear husband, father and grandfather, Leo, who passed away Feb. 11, 1986. We are sad within our memory, Lonely are our hearts today For the one we loved So dearly Has been forever called away. We think of him in silence No eye may see us weep, But many a silent tears are shed When others are asleep. Lovingly remembered, so sadly missed by Marg & family. Most people think there's only one way to help the developing world. We have 26. earst: tg Callus at 1-800-661-CODE for more information. CODE Self-sufficiency through literacy in the developing world. In loving memory of my dear mother and friend, Irene Nicol who passed away February 8, 1990. Everyday in some way, Memories of you come my way, Though absent; you are near, Still missed, always loved and very dear Much love always, Paulette HOw MANY HOURS EACH YEAR BO CANADIANS VOLUNTEER $ The War Amps of Canada the architect: P. Richardson Ghai cn LAKE SUPERIOR BOARD OF EDUCATION PREQUALIFICATION TENDER FOR MARATHON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 'MARATHON, ONTARIO Prequalification proposals for interested General Contractors and Mechanical and Electrical Sub-Contractors will be accepted by the architects until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 1992 General conditions and prequalification proposal forms will be available from Critchley, Delean, 'Trussler & Evans 528 Cassells Street North Bay, Ontario P1B 3Z7 Phone: (807) 472-0980 Fax: (705) 472-2486 D.1. McQuarrie __ Director |