Speed leading factor in 12 snowmobile deaths in Manitoba since 2021: MPI

The first two months of the year are the deadliest for snowmobilers across Manitoba, which saw a dozen people die in snowmobiling crashes between 2021 and 2024, according to the province's public insurer.

Manitoba Public Insurance provided the statistics at a Tuesday news conference in partnership with Snoman Inc., reminding snowmobilers to stay safe outdoors. Those reminders come just a few days after the end of International Snowmobile Safety Week (Jan. 12-18), and following the deaths of two children in snowmobile crashes in recent weeks.

Speed was the leading contributing factor in the 12 fatalities in Manitoba since 2021, said Maria Campos, the insurer's vice-president and chief customer and product officer.

Alcohol impairment, a lack of helmets, and inexperienced or careless driving were also factors, she said.

Both MPI and representatives from Snoman, an organization representing snowmobile clubs in Manitoba, highlighted the importance of wearing a good helmet, driving responsibly, controlling speed and not riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"The safest place to ride is on the designated trail system, because we've identified all the hazards on it," said Snoman vice-president Joe Thievin. 

Manitoba has 12,000 kilometres of designated groomed trails that include signage warning snowmobilers of potential dangers, according to MPI.

Snowmobile registration fees paid to MPI fund trail maintenance and development, as well as off-road vehicle safety education and training programs, said Campos.

Thievin also urged drivers to never ride alone, but said when a driver does go out on their own, it's important to tell others where they're going and what time they plan to be back.

Snowmobilers should also carry items such as a blanket, booster cables, extra winter clothing, basic tools, a flashlight, rope, a first aid kit and a small shovel to be prepared for any emergency.

The safety warnings come after two youths died in separate incidents involving a snowmobile in recent weeks.

On Jan. 10, a 12-year-old girl was killed when she was thrown during a ride on a toboggan being pulled by a snowmobile driven by a boy, also 12, on a path near the northern Manitoba community of God's Lake Narrows.

And on Dec. 22, a 10-year-old boy died after he lost control of the snowmobile he was driving on private property north of the community of Rosebank, in south-central Manitoba.

The boy was wearing a helmet and other safety equipment at the time of the crash, but died from his injuries in hospital, RCMP said.