Snowmobiles are a way of life here - but with the advent of high performance 4-cylinder machines, it's even more imperative that they be regulated - but I still see teenagers on high performance machines. But I had a high performance Mini Cooper when I was 18 in Ottawa in the 1960s, and that was allowed, as was my best friend who had a Triumph 650 Bonneville bike, so what can you do. ~sigh~
Recreational sports deaths part 3
Tue, 2011-02-22 20:59
#102
Boom Boom
Wed, 2011-02-23 08:25
#103
In the two actual stories I cited from the last few days, snowmobilers made "decisions" (high-marking that started an avalanche, and jumping an abutment) that killed [i]other people[/i].
Such activities should be treated at the very least in a manner similar to driving while impaired, or dangerous driving, both of which are Criminal Code offences.
And I have little interest in making people pay for rescues. That's akin to a civil suit to recover damages. I'm talking about just making sure that our laws clearly label unacceptable behaviour, and that there is a safety and regulatory infrastructure in place to help protect the innocent victims, and not just the negligent or reckless.
I find it troubling that this view should be met by venom. But I'm used to it and have stocked up on antidote.
Wed, 2011-02-23 08:38
#104
Remind speaks of a "handful of adults who die each year, doing something they love, undertaken by an informed and mature decision on their part."
Caissa thinks that these deaths occurring as a result of adults exercising their mature judgement makes them quite egregious. It is too bad that the price of bad judgement can be death.
Wed, 2011-02-23 10:04
#105
Boom Boom
I agree, actually - but enforcement is a problem - this is a big country. Only once in my 16 years here have I seen Quebec police out on the snowmobile trails.
Wed, 2011-02-23 10:09
#106
Snert
"handful of adults who die each year, doing something they love, undertaken by an informed and mature decision on their part."
Wow. Someone should bring this to one of their funerals.
"Weep not for Bob! He CHOSE TO DIE UNDER A PILE OF SNOW. To his family I say only that while Bob loved you, he clearly loved DYING UNDER A PILE OF SNOW more, for that is what he chose. I'm sure it was not a decision entered into lightly, but know that his death was not for nothing! His high mark was the record for, like, almost a week! As you go through life alone now, take strength in the knowledge that between February 9 and February 14, 2011, nobody went higher up that hill than your husband and father!"
We should celebrate the courage of the brave men who are making an informed and mature decision! Why does everyone act like this is some kind of tragedy??
Wed, 2011-02-23 11:17
#107
I agree, actually - but enforcement is a problem - this is a big country. Only once in my 16 years here have I seen Quebec police out on the snowmobile trails.
It is utterly impossible to enforce laws that don't exist.
But enforcement can take many forms. It doesn't need police in all instances. Our society should begin by criminalizing certain kinds of behaviour that recklessly endangers lives (especially lives of others - people who would like to carry on living). Even with no enforcement, that will have a salutary effect. A party of sledders heading out to high-mark in the back country may have one participant who says, "Hey, no thanks guys [it's almost always guys, isn't it?], but that's illegal." One life saved, maybe a couple more.
Wed, 2011-02-23 12:01
#108
Catchfire
Long thread!
Pages
- « first
- ‹ previous
- 1
- 2
- 3