Alcohol a factor in many snowmobile crashes: hospital

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The Sudbury & District Health Unit wants to caution residents who wish to use ATVs or snowmobiles. Death from ATV and snowmobile accidents is low - about one per cent. That changes when alcohol is involved, as one in six people die from alcohol-related ATV and snowmobile accidents. Photo by Marg Seregelyi.

The Sudbury & District Health Unit wants to caution residents who wish to use ATVs or snowmobiles. Death from ATV and snowmobile accidents is low - about one per cent. That changes when alcohol is involved, as one in six people die from alcohol-related ATV and snowmobile accidents. Photo by Marg Seregelyi.

Dec 15, 2009- 11:23 AM

By: Sudbury Northern Life Staff

With the rising popularity of ATV use in winter months and the snowmobile season soon to kick into high-gear, Sudbury Regional Hospital and its emergency and trauma programs are reminding riders that the key to avoiding injury is prevention.

Snowmobiling continues to be the leading cause of winter sport and recreational injuries, and ATV injuries have been rising in every season, stated a press release from the hospital.

Among major snowmobile and ATV-related trauma cases at the hospital, 75 per cent of those are male, with an average age of 33.

Alcohol is a factor in over a quarter of all incidents, and contributes significantly to mortality rates. While less than one per cent of snowmobile collisions are fatal, the chance of dying rises to one in six if the driver has been drinking.   

According to Dr. Steven Socransky, medical director of the trauma program, “Intoxicants and powerful motor vehicles create a lethal combination. Use caution when crossing frozen waterways, roadways, rail tracks or intersections and stay on marked trails. Adjust your speed to the current conditions. Know your machine and keep it in good working order. Dress appropriately for the weather, and always wear a properly fitted helmet.”

He notes as well that while death is uncommon, the chance of incurring a debilitating and potentially life-altering injury should not be minimized.

“Approximately one in five people will end up in hospital. These are powerful machines that can cause some serious damage. Five per cent will go straight to critical care or the OR, and those people in particular may deal with their injuries for a significant period of time,” he states.  

Of particular concern is ensuring clothing is warm, layered, and waterproof, and that all riders carry some form of floatation device and ice picks. Drowning is one of the leading causes of snowmobile fatalities.

“There are very few ‘accidents’ in these cases. If all riders followed these safety messages, we wouldn’t have to explain the tragic consequences of a dangerous action to the people they love,” said Socransky.  

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