Thank you for the article in the April issue outlining injuries sustained by snowmobilers (Can J Surg 2004;47:90–4). I note that 70% had blood alcohol levels above legal limits for driving a motor vehicle. I note also your conclusion that trailside monitoring was unlikely to affect the incidence of alcohol use or the rate of injuries.
Alcohol certainly is associated with a significant incidence of injuries related to motor vehicles, whether they be snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, motorbikes or cars. Blood alcohol levels obtained without legal consent and witnessed by representatives of the law are inadmissible in court; perhaps the law should be changed. Should it be mandatory that all patients presenting with nontrivial injuries related to motor vehicle accidents provide blood for an alcohol assay?
Furthermore, all drivers found to have a notably elevated serum-alcohol concentration should be charged, as with driving a motor vehicle on the highway. By such methods can the serious toll on operators, passengers and pedestrians be addressed.
The costs to society are considerable. The fact that individual riders often hurt only themselves is irrelevant; all society pays for their treatment and (if they sustain lasting disability) care, possibly for the rest of their days.