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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A young man died last week after his snowmobile collided with an oncoming vehicle.

Iqaluit RCMP responded to a motor vehicle accident near the Queen Elizabeth Way and Nipisa Street intersection at approximately 6 p.m. on Feb. 22.

A 25-year-old male was attempting to cross the street on his snowmobile when it collided with an oncoming sport utility vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to the Qikiqtani Regional Hospital and later pronounced dead. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

The occupants of the oncoming vehicle did not sustain any injuries as a result of the collision.

Last week, the accident was still under investigation, though police suspected speed might have been a factor.

The RCMP's Cpl. Terry Foster said Iqaluit residents frequently operate their snowmobiles without helmets and drive unsafely on the roads.

"I think it's fairly common to see people operating snowmobiles around town without helmets on the streets," he said. "There are a number of machines that are being operated in dangerous manners."

Foster said it would be difficult to determine the number snowmobile accidents that have occurred over the last year, but said the issue of snowmobile safety has become a concern in Iqaluit.

"It's a problem here," he said. "It's a wonder there's not more accidents."

Keith Park, interim chief municipal enforcement officer for the City of Iqaluit, said the number of accidents have been growing every year as the city's population rises.

"There's more and more people moving to Iqaluit," he said. "Each year, we're getting more and more snowmobiles into the city and bigger snowmobiles."

Park said the majority of snowmobiling accidents take place at intersections where operators assume they have the right of way over other traffic.

"We've discussed joint efforts with bylaw to try and deal with some of the problems and it's just trying to find the resources and the time," said Foster. "It's a difficult thing for the RCMP to get involved in because we're so busy attending other calls."

It is also difficult to chase snowmobilers who are breaking the law, he added.

"The police aren't going to pursue anybody unless it's an absolute necessity for public safety, because a lot of times if we're chasing somebody, it's going to put the public safety at greater risk," said Foster.

"We don't have snowmobiles, so a lot of times, if you try to stop a snowmobile (you can't follow them)," said Park. "It's very difficult to enforce, but actually most people, if you do turn on the lights, they normally stop."

City bylaws stipulate snowmobiles must be licensed and insured, the bylaw officer said. While licences are easy and inexpensive to obtain through the city office, there are far too many snowmobiles going unregistered, he said. Park estimated approximately 150 of the vehicles have been licensed in Iqaluit.

The only operators exempt from registration are hunters and trappers, who are allowed to drive without a licence or helmet.

"They are allowed to leave their home and take the nearest route to the sea ice or land," said Park.