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Maine Logs Fewer Snowmobiling Fatalities

March 17, 2009 - AUGUSTA -- We've had a lot of snow this year and a lot of riding. Although final figures won't be in for several months, the number of snowmobile registrations will most likely be more than 100,000. Bob Meyers, executive director of the Maine Snowmobile Association, is optimistic about final numbers for the season.

"This has been a remarkably safe season. Certainly, we look at the trend, and the trend is pretty darn good," Meyers said. "I think people have been paying attention, and they are being careful. They are doing just what we had hoped they would do, which is to pay attention."

The latest data from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for the beginning of this season through March 7 confirms Meyers' claims. There were 174 snowmobile accidents, including five fatalities. Last season at this time, there were 181 accidents with nine fatalities.

This year, there have been 20 operating-under-the-influence cases, compared to 15 last season, possibly an indicator that wardens are doing a better job of cracking down on drunk snowmobilers and making the trails safer for all. Let's give the wardens credit for doing a great job despite budget constraints taking their toll.

Still, when there is a fatality, it makes the news. How often would you see the lead story on television news or read the headline on the front page of a paper declaring, "Safest Snowmobile Season Ever?" It would have to be one supremely slow news day.

Fatalities are still a problem – and a reality. Could a remedy be a mandatory snowmobile safety course? It would cost additional money to provide courses around the state at a time when budgets are being cut. Still, it is something to consider. Voluntary snowmobile safety courses frequently get canceled because not enough people sign up to warrant holding a class.

"The snowmobile safety course should not be mandatory," Meyers said. "I think it is available for anyone who wants to take the course. When you start mandating things, it dramatically increases the cost and doesn't get you to where you want to be. What we've done during the past several years is to improve the delivery of the safety message."

Just as with driving a motor vehicle, accidents and fatalities happen. Automobile drivers are required to pass a written and practical test to get a driver's license. No such test is required for snowmobilers. In fact, according to Meyers, the number of snowmobile accidents are pretty much in line statistically with other motorized vehicle accidents.

"You can pretty much count on about four accidents per 1,000 registrations. That number is about the same as it is for cars, motorcycles, trucks and other forms of motorized transportation," he said.

MSA ANNUAL MEETING

Just a reminder – the Maine Snowmobiling Association's annual meeting and banquet will be held at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor on April 18.

The day begins at 12:30 p.m. with a brief meeting of the executive committee and the MSA scholarship committee. The annual meeting follows at 1 p.m. with the election of MSA officers, along with other business. The fun starts at 5 p.m. with a social hour followed by dinner, MSA recognitions and the MSA Easy Money Raffle, with prizes ranging from $250 to $2,500.

Banquet tickets must be purchased by April 9. For more information, go to www.mesnow.com.

CATHY GENTHNER, Portland Press Herald, March 12, 2009


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