How many snowmobile deaths per year

The crush of an avalanche can be what leads to death as all that heavy snow piles atop you. Suffocation through being buried is another cause of death, as is internal bleeding and broken bones from the trauma of the snow crashing atop you.

If you fall down a cliff during an avalanche, your body could be crushed from the rocks and other debris you hit on your descent. In northern Alaska, snowmobile injuries outnumbered on-road motor vehicle injuries.

A total of 26 snowmobile injury deaths were reported; 7 decedents drowned after breaking through ice and 8 were ejected from vehicles. Those numbers may sound scary, but again, the age of the data betrays the information therein. As the last section proves, misusing your snowmobile such as through consuming alcohol or trying dangerous maneuvers is a great way to get seriously hurt or even die. Like we said in the intro, snowmobiles are about as dangerous as operating any other vehicle.

You should still follow every precaution you can on your snowmobile for your safety and that of everyone you meet though. You want to remember them all each time you set off for an adventure on your snowmobile. The average snowmobile speed limit is 45 miles per hour, but that recommended speed could be even lower and sometimes higher depending on where you ride. We suggest you follow the speed limit signs when riding. Remember, going slower can be just as dangerous as riding your sled too quickly, as another snowmobiler can slam their vehicle into yours.

Fatalities, although somewhat less likely, could occur in such a scenario, as can serious injuries. Anything that can affect your ability to concentrate and stay alert puts you at risk of injury or death on your snowmobile. Being of sound body means you should be in a good, healthy condition, without serious aches and pains that would inhibit you from maneuvering your snowmobile in any way necessary.

Another element of being of sound mind and body is refraining from drug and alcohol use. By the way, when we say drugs, we mean all drugs, including prescription medication that comes from your doctor. Read the label of your medication, but if it says not to drive a motor vehicle when on the meds, that goes for a snowmobile too. Having a buddy you can rely on when snowmobiling is great for a few reasons.

Another common factor in fatal crashes involves snowmobilers driving over frozen bodies of water. Snow on the ice can "act as a blanket and prevents thick strong ice from forming," according to the DNR.

Four fatal crashes in involved riders driving over bodies of water. While even one fatal crash is too many, Newman said, the number of snowmobiling deaths has decreased since the s and early s. Snowmobilers born after Jan. Newman said 8, people took the course last year and contributes the decrease in deaths to the course.

The report highlighted excessive speed, night riding and alcohol and drug use as the biggest risk factors in snowmobiling deaths. Nine in 10 snowmobile deaths recorded from to involved men, with most deaths occurring between the ages of 20 and 64, the study found.

While the report went on to say that 20 per cent of snowmobile fatalities involve multiple vehicles, the majority involve a single snowmobile. As a lifelong sledder, Dudych has first-hand experience colliding with an immoveable object on a snowmobile. The Kelowna Snowmobile Club member credits his motocross armour for saving him from serious injuries. World Canada Local.

On average, 73 people die in snowmobile accidents every year, Statistics Canada report finds. During the past 10 snowmobile seasons , the OPP has investigated snowmobile fatalities throughout the province. Among the findings in the report, excessive speed, loss of control, driving too fast for the conditions and ability impaired by alcohol were listed as the top contributing factors.

In fact, alcohol was involved in almost half 45 per cent of the deaths.