Snowmobiling education important for safer trails, says snowmobile federation

Following a close call on the snowmobile trails near Corner Brook earlier this month, the Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation says reckless driving is common and more people need to learn the rules of the trails.

"I think it happens more than we would like to realize," Ben Fitzgerald, the federation's general manager,told the Corner BrookMorning Show.

"The last thing you want to hear about is a tragedy on your trail system."

Two brothers walked away from a near collision in early Januaryafter a snowmobile that "came out of nowhere" struck the machine they were travelling on damaging it.

• Slow down and use caution on snowmobile trails, says Corner Brook man after near-miss

"How often does somebody recklessly drive and, in the middle of a landing [after taking a jump], have someone underneath them?" he said. "It's pretty rare, but the reckless driving part, I think it's more common."

Fitzgerald says there can't be enforcement on every turn onthe trail, so snowmobilers need to be better educated about trail etiquette.

"It's the same as drinking and driving. We can't prevent it, we can only educate," Fitzgerald said."I always tell anybody operating any vehicle, 'At the end of the day, we can only control what we do.'"

Fitzgerald says people should always be extra vigilant around blind hills, stay to the right and avoid drifting to the middle of the trail.

Safety course

The snowmobile federation does provide a safety course tailored mainly towards enforcement officials and government workers, but it is planning to tweak it for familiesas well.

"At the end of the day, someone who can afford a 10-15K snowmobile to give to their child [could afford] a hundred dollars for a training course that's going to probably save their life," Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald says he has it in writing from Justice Minister Andrew Parsons that there is going to be more enforcement on the trails this year.

"Not to be out trying to find the violators, but to promote trail safety and to be present," Fitzgerald said, "I think the presence alone keeps people cognizant of the fact that they have to ride with the rules in mind."