In an effort to further promote snowmobile safety throughout the province, Crown Corporations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff has proclaimed the week of Jan. 13 to 19, as Snowmobile Safety Week in Saskatchewan.

The week is designed to encourage safe snowmobiling and to raise awareness of the importance of having the proper snowmobile training.

"Snowmobiling is one of the province's most popular activities. Unfortunately, unsafe snowmobiling can result in serious injury," Cheveldayoff said. "SGI encourages all snowmobile enthusiasts to take a safety course to learn how to avoid many of these collisions and ensure they have the necessary knowledge, skills and training to ride safely."

Snowmobile Safety Week is a safety initiative sponsored by the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association (SSA), SGI, the RCMP and the Saskatchewan Safety Council.

"To enjoy a safe ride, we recommend that all snowmobilers, whether they're novice or experienced riders, always wear a helmet, take a snowmobile safety course, register their snowmobile, be cautious when crossing ice and never drink while sledding," SSA CEO Chris Brewer said. "Snowmobiling is fun, but please do it safely."

In the five-year period between 2002 and 2006 there were 326 snowmobile collisions in Saskatchewan that resulted in 231 injuries and 21 deaths. Alcohol was a factor in 13 of the fatalities.

The Saskatchewan Safety Council conducts snowmobile safety courses throughout the province.For more information on safety courses, contact the Council at 306-757-3197 in Regina.

news release: http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=ae94bc4b-a297-45a1-b999-fec22b3aab11