Preventing tragedy
RCMP and club concerned over snowmobile safety

Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Dec 03/99) - The Fort Simpson RCMP and the Tracks 'n Trails Snowmobile Club are planning to combine their efforts to identify the law-breaking snowmobilers in the community.

RCMP Cpl. Steve Corcoran said there's been discussion of forming a joint snowmobile club to raise the visibility of the police on the trails around Fort Simpson.

"We have to step up to the plate, so to speak," Corcoran said, adding that the RCMP also have the jurisdiction to enforce village bylaws.

Mickey Hempler, a member of Tracks n' Trails, said he has become very concerned by the increasing number of underage snowmobile operators and the incidents of reckless driving around the community. From those cutting across driveways without looking, to those without helmets and others going airborne off the golf course hills -- a serious accident is in the offing, he predicted.

"They're right out of control. I think the parents have got to sit down and talk to their kids," he said.

Many of today's snowmachines are capable of dangerous speeds, he noted. His own snowmobile is considered a "family class" model and he's able to reach 120 km/h.

"It's all right to have power, but respect it," he said.

He said Tracks n' Trails has proposed that underage operators should be required to pass a snowmobile safety course before being allowed to drive them. The problem is that the past three times the safety course was offered, only one student showed up, he said.

The club has also, in the past, approached village council about stiffening the bylaw penalties, Hempler noted.

There are quite a few parents who are allowing their children to ride around without safety mechanisms or insurance, said Hempler.

"If they can afford $10,000 for their kids' Ski-Doos, they should be able to afford $40 for insurance," he asserted.