The effect of a community-based police surveillance program on snowmobile injuries and deaths.

Serious snowmobile injuries are preventable and associated with late-night travel, alcohol use, and speed. We studied the effectiveness of a community-based policing (STOP) program in the prevention of serious injuries related to snowmobile trauma in Sudbury, Ontario. Volunteers were trained in police protocol and were appointed special constables to increase policing on snowmobile trails from 1993-95. Snowmobile admissions and deaths in Sudbury were examined; the pre- (1990-1992) and post- (1993-1995) STOP seasons were compared. In the pre-STOP period, 102 injuries, 87 admissions, and 15 deaths occurred compared to 57 injuries (p = 0.0004), 53 admissions (p = 0.00001) and 4 deaths (p = 0.13) in the post-STOP period. All other event and demographic features of the crashes remained similar. Significant economic savings were realized from this intervention; acute care costs savings exceeded $70,000/year and costs from death decreased by $5 million. An intervention involving enforcement on snowmobile trails can reduce the incidence of injuries from snowmobile-related trauma.

[1]  Claude Sicard,et al.  Economic impact of a regulation imposing full-face protectors on adult recreational hockey players , 1995 .

[2]  The association of alcohol and night driving with fatal snowmobile trauma: a case-control study. , 1994, Annals of emergency medicine.

[3]  D T Stueland,et al.  Recreational injuries and deaths in northern Wisconsin: analysis of injuries and fatalities from snowmobiles over 3 years. , 1993, Wisconsin medical journal.

[4]  S. Hargarten,et al.  Injury control. A crucial aspect of emergency medicine. , 1993, Emergency medicine clinics of North America.

[5]  B. Rowe,et al.  SERIOUS SNOWMOBILE TRAUMA IN NORTHERN ONTARIO , 1990 .

[6]  J. A. Waller,et al.  Trauma registry and trauma center biases in injury research. , 1989, The Journal of trauma.

[7]  G. Fitzgerald,et al.  Snowmobile injuries in northern Newfoundland and Labrador: an 18-year review. , 1987, The Journal of trauma.

[8]  L. Brander.  A ten-year survey of snowmobile accidents: , 1987 .

[9]  J. Boan,et al.  Strained mercy : the economics of Canadian health care , 1985 .

[10]  U. Björnstig,et al.  Snowmobiling injuries: types and consequences. , 1984, Acta chirurgica Scandinavica.

[11]  U. Björnstig,et al.  Fatal snowmobile accidents in northern Sweden. , 1982, The Journal of trauma.

[12]  J. Schlesselman,et al.  Case-Control Studies: Design, Conduct, Analysis , 1982 .

[13]  John D. States,et al.  THE ABBREVIATED INJURY SCALE: EVOLUTION, USAGE AND FUTURE ADAPTABILITY , 1981 .

[14]  C N Smart,et al.  The incidence and economic costs of cancer, motor vehicle injuries, coronary heart disease, and stroke: a comparative analysis. , 1980, American journal of public health.

[15]  M. Bauer,et al.  Snowmobile accidents in Northern Sweden. , 1979, Injury.

[16]  R. Letts,et al.  The child and the snowmobile. , 1975, Canadian Medical Association journal.

[17]  Julian A. Waller,et al.  Snowmobiling: characteristics of owners, patterns of use and injuries†☆ , 1973 .

[18]  R. Withington,et al.  Snowmobile accidents: a review of injuries sustained in the use of snowmobiles in northern New England during the 1968-69 season. , 1970, The Journal of trauma.

[19]  R. Dominici,et al.  Speed on snow. The motorized sled. , 1970, American journal of surgery.

[20]  D. Rice,et al.  The economic value of human life. , 1967, American journal of public health and the nation's health.

[21]  H. Josse.  [Economic value of human life]. , 1950, Revue generale de medecine & de chirurgie de l'Union francaise.