Related Experiment Videos
Snowmobile accidents in Lapland.
1Provincial Government of Lapland, Rovaniemi.
Arctic Medical Research
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Snowmobile accidents in Lapland are frequent, particularly during leisure time in spring. Implementing snowmobile registration and preventive measures is urgently needed to reduce injuries and fatalities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Accident Analysis
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Lapland has an estimated 30,000 snowmobiles.
- Snowmobiles are a significant cause of accidents in the region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze snowmobile accidents in Lapland during 1990.
- To identify accident patterns and injury types.
- To recommend preventive measures and registration.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 290 snowmobile accidents reported in 1990.
- Data collected from 12 health centers and 3 hospitals.
- Classification of injuries using the Abbreviated Injury Scale.
Main Results:
- 72% of accidents were leisure-related, occurring typically on spring afternoons/weekends.
- Most accidents involved collisions with barriers in wooded areas.
- Extremity injuries were most common (50%), followed by head (18%) and thorax (11%) injuries.
- 5 fatalities were reported; 31% of injured individuals wore helmets.
Conclusions:
- Snowmobile accidents pose a significant risk in Lapland.
- Helmet use was compulsory from 1991.
- Snowmobile registration and urgent preventive measures are recommended for Finland.