THE EFFECT OF A COMMUNITY-BASED POLICE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM ON SNOWMOBILE INJURIES AND DEATHS

Serious snowmobile injuries are preventable and associated with late-n ight navel, alcohol use, and speed. We studied the effectiveness of a community-based policing (STOP) program in the prevention of serious i njuries related to snowmobile trauma in Sudbury, Ontario. Volunteers w ere trained in police protocol and appointed special constables to inc rease policing on snowmobile trails from 1993-95. Snowmobile admission s and deaths in Sudbury were examined; the pre- (1990-1992) and post- (1993-1995) STOP seasons were compared In the pre-STEP period, 102 inj uries, 87 admissions, and 15 deaths occurred compared to 57 injuries ( p=0.0004), 53 admissions (p=0.00001) and 4 deaths (p=0.13) in the post -STOP period. AU other event and demographic features of the crashes r emained similar. Significant economic savings were realized from this intervention; acute care costs savings exceeded $70,000/year and costs from death decreased by $5 million. An intervention involving enforce ment on snowmobile trails can reduce the incidence of injuries from sn owmobile-related trauma.