Jackson Heights, NY––Every 41 minutes a person sustains a spinal cord injury and government statistics indicate that over 100 people die from snowmobile-related accidents every year. As the winter season gets underway United Spinal Association is urging everyone to review some simple safety tips before hitting the trails.

As part of its Motorsafe campaign to raise safety awareness nationwide on all motorized vehicles, United Spinal reports that between 1999 and 2003, people under 17 years of age sustained 14,000 snowmobile-related injuries and 40% of those deaths were due to collisions with trees, wires, bridges, and other vehicles. Of additional concern, many states do not even require operators to wear helmets.

If you are planning a day on the trails this winter, here are a few simple safety reminders that can help reduce the chance of a serious accident or injury:

• Keep your snowmobile in top mechanical condition and perform regular maintenance.
• Always wear insulated boots and protective clothing including a helmet, gloves, and eye protection.
• Never ride alone.
• If possible, avoid crossing frozen bodies of water.
• For groups of riders, never cross a frozen body of water in single file.
• Always stay alert to driving conditions and obstacles, such as depressions in the snow.
• Never operate on a street or a highway.
• Keep headlights and tail lights on at all times.
• Always check the weather conditions before you depart.
• Always operate your snowmobile at safe speeds.
• Never operate your snowmobile if intoxicated, tired, or if you are taking medication.

United Spinal Association’s Motorsafe program is a nationwide public awareness campaign promoting safe motoring. The program targets all people who operate automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, motorboats, personal watercraft, and snowmobiles. United Spinal’s goal is to share information and knowledge of specific hazards involved in operating these types of equipment and to highlight good practices that will prevent serious injury or even death. For more information download a free Motorsafe brochure and safety tips card.

United Spinal Association is a national advocacy and disability rights organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Membership is free and open to all individuals with disabilities of the spinal cord.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 16th, 2007 at 8:30 am and is filed under Featured, United Spinal News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.