Increase in trauma-related accidents a cause for concern
Munson Healthcare has seen an uptick in trauma cases over the past several weeks, with many cases involving snowmobiles. On average, across the Munson system, there has been a 150 percent increase in snowmobile-related accidents from late December to late January, with several patients involved in snowmobile impacts with vehicles.
Factors contributing to accidents include high speeds, high snowbanks, decreased visibility during snowfall, drifting snow, and blowing snow from traveling vehicles.
“With the increased amount of snow this season bringing more visitors into the area, we want to encourage people to ride safely. Snowmobiles are powerful machines and ensuring both snowmobile and vehicle drivers are looking out for one another is crucial,” said Dr. Shaun Ramsey, emergency physician and EMS Medical Director for North Central and Northwest Regional Medical Control Authorities.
More crashes occur at nighttime when decreased visibility, speed, and alcohol can often be factors in accidents.
Tips for snowmobile drivers:
- Ride sober
- Follow traffic laws
- When approaching a crossing, slow down, stop, stand up and look twice for vehicles
- Wear bright clothing as it improves detection distance by up to 300 percent and enhances visibility
- Ride with helmets that have lights on them
- Consider purchasing after-market lights for enhanced visibility
- Slow down - High speed is the number one cause of serious injury and death and if traveling faster than 30MPH in low visibility, snowmobilers cannot stop within their visible range.
“Vehicle drivers can also do their part by slowing down at snowmobile crossings, driving defensively, and assuming that snowmobile drivers may not see vehicles,” added Dr. Ramsey.
Winter safety extends further than snowmobiles. Many winter activities can cause trauma or injury without proper safety measures:
- Winter activities that call for helmets include sledding, tubing, skiing, snowboarding, and any high-speed activity or one that may cause a risk of falling, such as ice skating.
- Munson Healthcare also encourages citizens to be aware of ice safety as temperatures warm up this week. Ice Safety
- In the United States, over 20,000 patients are treated in emergency rooms annually for sledding related injuries. Seventy percent of those are children under the age of nineteen and over 80 percent suffer injury to their head.
- Studies show that wearing a helmet prevents or reduces the severity of traumatic brain injury by 62-88 percent, depending on the activity.
- The risk of falls also increases in winter and safest way to navigate snowy, icy conditions is to “Walk Like a Penguin.” Keep your hands free; bend your knees slightly; and take slow, short, shuffling steps. Consider shoes or boots with good grips to ensure proper footing in various conditions.
More snowmobile safety tips can be found at www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/safety-info/ride-right.
For more information on how to avoid winter falls on other winter safety tips, visit www.munsonhealthcare.org/blog/8-tips-to-avoid-winter-falls.