It's a little hard to take the traditional threats of winter seriously when the temperature is in the 50s in early December.
Whiteface Ski Center was preparing to open last weekend with one trail open. That trail was going to be subjected to some very intense ups and downs. But we have it on good authority that winter is indeed not far off. So we thought it might be helpful to pass along some tips on snowmobile safety that come from no less an authority on safety than the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
According to commission statistics, about 13,400 hospital emergency-room-treated injuries occur each year with snowmobiles; about 110 Americans die each year as a result of snowmobile accidents; about two-fifths, or 40 percent, of the reported snowmobile deaths resulted from colliding with trees, wires, bridges and other vehicles.
Yet, snowmobiling is not only one of the great joys available for people who live in the North during the winter months, it is one of the reliable revenue producers for communities that have trails and opportunities for outsiders to enjoy them. Some people like to go South for the winter. Others appreciate the North.
Here are some of the commission's recommendations for enjoying the sport without the agony and anguish of mishaps: Never drive your snowmobile alone or on unfamiliar ground. Have someone ride along with you, so you can help each other in case of breakdown or accident.
Avoid waterways. Frozen lakes and rivers can be fatal. It is almost impossible to judge adequate ice coverage or depth. This is an especially tricky one in this region, as many outdoors people assume their experience will always afford them unerring judgment.
Avoid driving in bad weather. Check warnings for snow, ice and wind-chill conditions before starting. Especially during the early storms of the season, when everyone is so eager to get out onto the snow, be prudent, be patient and be safe.
Watch the path ahead to avoid rocks, trees, fences (particularly barbed wire), ditches and other obstacles.
Slow down at the top of a hill, a cliff, snow bank or other obstacle where an unforeseen hazard could be on the other side.
Never drink alcohol when you will be driving your snowmobile. Drinking and driving can prove fatal. And it's against the law. We've seen many prosecutions for snowmobiling under the influence of alcohol, especially after personal-injury accidents.
Snowmobile clubs are very eager to have the sport be accepted by the public. If snowmobilers stay on trails and don't stray onto private property, and if they take safety precautions seriously, the examples of responsible snowmobilers will go a lot further in raising the acceptance of all the people who participate.
It behooves all of us to spread the word that snowmobiling is a fun pastime. It can be lucrative to the region.
But it must earn a reputation for safety.
Opinion
December 7, 2009
EDITORIAL: Practice safety on snowmobiles
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Editorial: The leather lung: where not to sit
At area sporting events, a menace patrols the stands, inflicting discomfort on those around him and seeming to enjoy it. We refer, of course, to the leather-lung.
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Editorial: The leather lung: where not to sit
- Cheers and Jeers
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Cheers and Jeers: Feb. 6, 2012
CHEERS to Dr. Anne Cahill and JEERS to drivers who don't signal for turns and changing lanes.
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Cheers and Jeers: Feb. 6, 2012
- Letters to the Editor
- Speakout
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In My Opinion: Behind the city lockbox program
AFSCME Local 788 has received the opinion and award of Arbitrator Kenneth J. Toomey denying the union's grievance of the city's Financial Lockbox, by which residents' water, sewer and trash payments can be routed to a Glens Falls National Bank subcontractor in Hicksville, Long Island, union President Denise Nephew writes.
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In My Opinion: Behind the city lockbox program
