NCPR Award Winners: Snowmobile Safety

(02/19/03) Snowmobiles are a growing part of the north country's culture--a source of winter fun for locals and a powerful draw for tourists. But this season has seen a painful number of serious accidents and deaths. More than 20 snowmobilers have died in New York--another 26 in Ottawa and Quebec. And four more in Vermont. High speed and alcohol are two main culprits. But in this final part of our series on snowmobile safety, Brian Mann reports that children may be the most at risk.
Part 1 of series, Part 2 of series.

(02/18/03) This winter, more than twenty people have died in New York while riding snowmobiles. The North Country has seen a rash of serious accidents, sending dozens more people to the hospital. State officials say drunk riders cause too many of these crashes. Some in the sport say the snowmobile industry should end its long association with bars and alcohol. In this second part of our series on snowmobile safety, Brian Mann reports that there's also a push to toughen laws that punish those who drink and ride.

(02/17/03) This winter, more than twenty people have died in New York while riding snowmobiles. The sport is wildly popular. Towns like Old Forge and Speculator see snowmobile tourism as an economic lifeline. But a growing number of critics say the toll of deaths and serious injuries will continue to climb, unless the sport reforms its culture. In this first of a three-part series, Brian Mann looks at the snowmobile industry's deadly addiction to power and high speed.