Why Do We Make Such A Huge Deal Of Deaths? - Snowmobile World : Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

oldyeller · 12-31-2003, 04:25 PM

Each year I am amazed at how the media keeps totals on the exact numbers of people killed in snowmobiling accidents.I can see the point of doing it for possibly seeing a trend in the exact way they were killed and trying to find a way to prevent it but the way it is sensationalized bothers me.If we have a great winter more people are killed and everyone is saying ."deaths on snowmobiles are on the rise".Of course it only makes sense if way more people are out riding and for a longer time overall.We don't total up the number of people killed on the hwy(and all other means of transportation) and report it all the time because no one would care.I don't mean to sound unfeeling towards friends and family of the people killed.Obviously it is a huge deal to them but why do we keep "score" every year?It does nothing but give our sport a black eye when the papers are reporting every death as big news when probably the same amount of people were killed in the same ratio driving cars or whatever.

The Hossman · 12-31-2003, 04:38 PM

Let's face it, we're under the microscope. The public loathes snowmobilers. Why?? Don't know. It is probably at least partially due to all the negative publicity we get.

I think the reason why a snowmobiler death is news, compared to a traffic accident death, is because snowmobiling is a hobby, a pastime, an entertainment. These things aren't supposed to kill people. If someone died in a skiing accident, that's front page news. You're not supposed to die having fun. Same analogy applies.

The best defence to the negative publicity to ensure that snowmobile fatalities don't occur. I realize that there are accidents which really are beyond the rider's care and control. But most of time, they can be avoided.

Ride safe - Ride sober.

MXZOOoom · 12-31-2003, 04:39 PM

If you don't ride a sled you say they kill, if you DON'T ride a bike you say they kill, if you DON'T ride a atv you say they kill. and the media needs all of them to make news.

ZR Sled Head · 12-31-2003, 05:18 PM

Nicely said Hossman.............fact is the general public thinks we're nuts which makes reading about another DEAD NUT good news.

Rick.
:christmas:

Spaceman · 12-31-2003, 05:39 PM

The death toll on sleds is a useless statistic. I am curious hwever about the amount of deaths per capita of total sleds. I think it would be very small.

RavmanSS · 12-31-2003, 06:18 PM

like spaceman said.

if they were to look at the total number of registered sled's versus the amount of death's per year the ratio would probably be under one percent i'm guessing. the media never show's it like that and compared to the total of registered car's verses death's over the same time period. the ratio would be alot higher in my opinion...

vapourtrail · 12-31-2003, 06:30 PM

remember the titanic,same deal.............................................. ...

revrnd · 12-31-2003, 06:47 PM

An accident doesn't just happen. They are the result of bad judgement or mechanical failure.

Maybe if the MTO or OPP in Ontario didn't appear so "helpful" in supplying this statistic to the media, it would go away.

We hear Monday morning, "So & so dying as a result of a "Ski-doo" accident. His death is the 17th this winter in the province." Do you think the media would take the time to add up these reports?

zr9er · 12-31-2003, 07:46 PM

I agree Revrnd, but what ZR said is true as well. Those not directly involved with something and viewing "it" from outside, can have a very distorted view of the subject. I am an Ironworker by trade, and if I had a dollar for every person that has said "Oh that must be dangerous being up there" or something similar, hell I could buy 2 new sleds! My point of view however is somewhat different regarding my job. Ignorance may be bliss, but it is ignorance nonetheless, and leads to views that may be less than educated,correct or factual. Unfortunately, it would appear very few in the media are sledheads, and thus we seldom get a fair shake.

Austin

dieseldude · 12-31-2003, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by revrnd@Dec 31 2003, 06:47 PM
An accident doesn't just happen. They are the result of bad judgement or mechanical failure.

Maybe if the MTO or OPP in Ontario didn't appear so "helpful" in supplying this statistic to the media, it would go away.

We hear Monday morning, "So & so dying as a result of a "Ski-doo" accident. His death is the 17th this winter in the province." Do you think the media would take the time to add up these reports?

Exactly!

Now if you can just alcohol out of the picture everything will be just peachy, i believe that the media knows how often alcohol is a factor with snowmobile deaths.

Perfect example being that we ride dirt bikes ALL summer on the same trails and we NEVER see a bunch of guys cramming as many beers into the bikes as they can, or stopping off at the nearest convenience store and buying a pint of something for the ride.

We as a whole bring the spotlight on ourselves (not saying i do it) Alcohol is not part of riding period yet its the biggest factor ALWAYS!

Ride SAFE and SOBER, and one day accidient will be just accidents, not alcohol related tragedies.