SNOWMOBILE ACCIDENTS--A DETAILED INVESTIGATION

As part of a special study, 116 snowmobile accidents were investigated in detail by the New York State Police during the winter season 1969-70. The following are several findings based upon data collected from this detailed investigation: (1) The accident type "collision with a moving vehicle" generally represented the greatest risk of injury to snowmobile operators regardless of experience; (2) Snowmobile jumping can directly result in injury to snowmobile occupants; (3) Accidents involving higher horsepower snowmobiles generally resulted in more severe injury to the occupants; (4) A 29% reduction in the probability of sustaining head injury was observed for those wearing a helmet; and (5) There is an indication that snowmobile lighting may be deficient. Based upon available information the following are recommended: (1) Research should be conducted to determine if snowmobile lighting is deficient and, if so, to establish standards compatible with normal operating demands; (2) Requirements and standards should be established for protective helmets; (3) Any public information activity should include information concerning the hazards of crossing public highways and fundamentals of vehicle safety maintenance; and (4) Snowmobiles should be equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent the throttle from sticking in an open position.

• Corporate Authors:

  New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

  Governor Nelson A Rockefeller Empire State Plaza
  Albany, NY  United States  12228
• Authors:
  • Negri, D B
• Publication Date: 1970-12

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Tables;
• Pagination: 116 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash severity; Crash types; Crashes; Hazards; Head; Helmets; Horsepower; Information dissemination; Injuries; Risk assessment; Safety; Snowmobiles; Standards; Throttles; Vehicle lighting; Vehicle maintenance; Vehicle safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Head injuries; Safety standards
• Old TRIS Terms: Vehicular safety
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors; I80: Accident Studies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00452408
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: 1970-2, HS-039 277
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 28 1986 12:00AM