SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A snowmobile enthusiast and intensive care nurse from Norway who was recently visiting Yellowknife said she could not believe how relaxed snowmobiling regulations are in the territory.

Dr Greta Mehus, from the University of Tromsoa in Norway, checks out some of the sleds at Force One during here recent visit to Yellowknife. Mehus was invited to Yellowknife by Aurora College to share her research on snowmobile safety. - Cody Punter/NNSL photo

Dr. Greta Mehus, a professor at the University of Tromsoa in Norway, was recently invited to Yellowknife by Dr. Pertice Moffitt at Aurora College, to share research she has compiled on snowmobile safety in Northern Norway.

Her visit included a talk which she gave at the Prince Of Wales Heritage Centre on Oct. 9.

While there are many similarities between snowmobile culture in Yellowknife and Norway, Mehus said laws governing safety regulations are much stricter in her country.

"In Norway we have more rules and regulations," said Mehus.

According to Mehus, a first-time offender charged with drinking and driving in Norway faces 21 days in jail, as well as a driving probation of up to two years. They also forfeit 1.5 times their monthly salary if their blood alcohol content is .03 more than the legal limit.

While it is common for a judge to issue a driving probation in Canada, the criminal code states the minimum fine for drinking and driving for a first time offender is $1,000. First-time drunk drivers are rarely jailed.

The legal limit for blood alcohol content is also lower in Norway at 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, compared to 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood in Canada.

Bruce Hewlko, president of the Great Slave Snowmobile Association, said all the association's rides are dry. However, he is aware that drinking and driving is a problem among recreational snowmobilers in the NWT.

"It's kind of like when you're on a boat. Everyone thinks you can have a couple of (drinks). Well, I'm afraid not," said Hewlko. "Alcohol is involved in many of the accidents so maybe (the laws) should be stricter."

Mehus was also surprised the territory does not have legislation to make wearing a helmet mandatory when snowmobiling.

Although the City of Yellowknife requires snowmobilers to wear helmets, they are not legally required to do so outside of city limits.

According to Cathy Menard, chief coroner for the NWT, two snowmobiling-related deaths in the past five years were the result of not wearing helmets.

There was also an incident in 2006 where two Yellowknife-area men collided and died on impact while sledding on Prelude Lake. Only one of the men was believed to be wearing a helmet.

Mehus said her research focuses on snowmobile safety among youth, and especially young males, who are the most vulnerable to putting themselves at risk.

"I have shown boys' helmets that are smashed and then they see the power of what can happen," said Mehus.

"It's easy to smash a helmet. Then you think, 'If this was my head, what would have happened?'"

In the absence of legislation, Mehus called on parents to be good role models and to make sure that their children have the necessary safety equipment.

"Youngsters don't buy these things. They buy fuel because they don't have so much money," said Mehus.

With Christmas coming, Mehus suggested any parent with a child who snowmobiles should consider buying them a helmet.