Part 2: Safety must be at the heart of the activities
The Québec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (FCMQ) always promotes safety rules during its numerous activities. Be it recommendations as regards the crossing of water bodies, zero tolerance for alcohol use, the observance of speed limits, or the use of hand signals, the Federation works relentlessly to ensure safety on the trails.
Since its creation, the FCMQ strives to sensitize its members to safety issues and civic-mindedness, notably through various awareness campaigns. Every year, during the Safety Caravan event, the members of the FCMQ’s Executive Committee, including the President, travel the Québec trail network in order to meet with the snowmobilers. The FCMQ has also supported the CCOM (Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations) and the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) during an awareness day on Zero Tolerance and snowmobiling, held on January 11, 2009. The effects of these actions appear in the mid-term thanks to sustained dialogue. According to a comparative study on the gravity of injuries suffered by off-road vehicle and motorbike drivers in Québec, the number of serious injuries sustained on a snowmobile has shown a lower increase than that of all other off-road vehicles (1,249 serious injuries in 2005 as opposed to 1,100 in 2000). The study was published by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec on September 22, 2008.
The clubs and the FCMQ work in cooperation with the police forces of Québec to patrol the trails throughout the whole of the Québec territory. The clubs have their own trail wardens (1,404). The professional development of these wardens has allowed 37 of them to attain level 2 and to be operational this season. The members of the FCMQ’s provincial trail patrol (53 wardens) have also greatly contributed to the education and awareness activities, and occasionally, in the area of suppression by issuing fines when required. Moreover, the quality of trail maintenance activities is improving year after year, and the FCMQ relentlessly insists on the importance of respecting the trail signs.
“The FCMQ wishes to thank all the clubs, their members and all the snowmobilers who show the example through their behaviour and attitude on the trails,” stated Normand Besner, General Manager of the FCMQ. “It is essential to be exemplary. All one has to do, in order to circulate in all safety and enjoy a good snowmobile run, is to practice the advice we offer,” he concluded.
About FCMQ :
The Québec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (FCMQ) strives to further the development and promotion of the practice of snowmobiling, a recreational and family activity that generates $1.3 billion in economic spin-offs every year. The Federation includes 208 clubs representing over 90,000 members. Thanks to the support of 4,500 volunteers, the Federation’s affiliated clubs manage the sale of trail permits for Québec’s 33,000-kilometer trail network, and see to its development, planning, maintenance, signposting, and safety.
