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SAFETY ON THE TRAILS
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INTRODUCTION |
| The Kap Sno-Rovers is a pro-active community oriented club
which its commitment to safety on the trails is second to none.
The Kap Sno-Rovers actively promotes responsible use of alcohol at all club functions. In liaison with the local Ontario Provincial Police, a police officer has been in attendance at all club functions in the past three years. Signing at events, offering alternates to alcoholic beverages and free non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers has also been mandated for all club event where alcohol is served. The club also has courtesy rides at the end of each event where alcohol is served. mini rallies have been established where no alcoholic beverages are served at designated points. |
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ADVERTISEMENT |
| The Kap Sno-Rovers actively have safety advertisements in the local weekly newspapers promoting don't drink and drive along with installing it in their newsletter. in addition, promotional spots on the local french and english radio stations are utilized to promote don't drink and drive. Posters are also in place at local restaurants and snowmobile dealers. |
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ALCOHOL POLICY |
| This year the Kap Sno-Rovers adopted an alcohol policy. in the policy most of the policies has already been in place in the past three years. |
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ANTI-IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM |
| The Kap Sno-Rovers wardens in con-junction and alliance with
the Kapuskasing Ontario Provincial Police actively patrol local trails on a
weekly, bi-weekly basis equipped with an alcohol test. Ontario Festive
Ride Program has also been utilized by police and the club to get extra
enforcement on trails during the festive season. Also, this year
Ontario Safe Driver grants were utilized on a weekly basis for wardens and
police to patrol local trails for aggressive and unsafe drivers. Both
daytime and nighttime patrols were used.
Also, on the two major events held by the Kap Sno-Rovers, the O.P.P. Ride Team was requested and attended. Their presence was also advertised, that they would be patrolling at the event. |
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PUBLIC EDUCATION |
| The Kap Sno-Rovers actively promotes
don't drink and drive through posters and restaurant events and snowmobile
dealers. They also have placed videos on community TV the effects of
drinking and riding and other safety issues such as railway crossing etc..
The wardens actively hand out ice cards, key chains with don't drink and ride on them. Also, the red ribbon campaign has been utilized on trails during the festive ride campaign. In addition, in conjunction with the O.P.P., local high schools have been targeted when police and the Kap Sno-Rovers have lectured on the effects of Drinking and Driving. The Kap Sno-Rovers have also incorporated police and warden in the Young Drivers training. Parts of the lecture is on the effects of drinking and riding and why they don't mix. Kap Sno-Rovers has adopted the policy that education is the way. |
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CLUB-INITIATED PROJECTS |
| In the 1999-2000 season, initiation
included a new project. Project
Speed Warden was adopted for the first time anywhere in the
province. The Project although designed to curb excessive speed and
aggressive driving also had its effect on drinking and riding. With
increased patrols and police presence incidents involving drinking were
drastically reduced. The program also involved the wardens to note
other infractions besides permit and speeding on the trails (i.e. drinking on
the trails). In follow-up, the registered owner was sent a letter from
the Ontario Provincial Police noting the infraction and advising that this
practice was not acceptable and further infractions would result in charges.
As a result of the program a 65% reduction in accidents and injuries was noted. The Kapuskasing area had a fatality free year. On a special note, not one accident was alcohol related. Nor did the Kapuskasing O.P.P. have one impaired driver charged driving on a snowmachine this season. |
