Snowmobile Trail Officer Patrol (STOP) Program

Background

Program Goals:

To reduce snowmobiling-related fatality and injury through new legislation and specialized education and enforcement programs

Intent:

Unintentional

Risk Factors Addressed:

Snowmobile Safety

Place of occurrence:

Community

Age/Age Range:

Ages 12 and up; particular emphasis on males aged 18-35

Resources

Year Developed:

initiated 1992

Collaborative Organization(s):

supported by local interest organizations collaboration of police, governmental, health care, community and recreational organizations

Funding Resource(s):

provincial and municipal funding;corporate and small business sponsorship;benefits from regional police expertise and partnership 

Implementation

Context/Setting:

Community

Strategies Used:

Evaluation, Education, Engineering, Enactment

Activities Used:

new rider safety and licensing program created;community and mass media dissemination;local and provincial coordination 

Program Evaluation:

Compliance and acceptance for the law by community
Data collected from STOP officers are measured and compared with fatality statistics for the season 

Source of Best Practice:

Volpe, R., Lewko, J., & Battra, A. (2002). A Compendium of Effective, Evidence-Based Best Practices in Prevention of Neurotrauma. University of Toronto Press, Toronto.

Original Source:

Rowe, B., Johnson, C.,m Milner, R., & Bota, G. (1992) Snowmobile fatalities in Ontario: A five year review. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 146, 147-152.

Supplementary Material:

N/A

Contact Information: 

Lynn Beach, Provincial Snowmobile & STOP Coordinator,
Ontario Provincial Police
3767 Hwy 69 South, Suite 1
McFarlin Lake Complex
Sudbury, Ontario
P3G 1E3
Tel: (705) 564-6900
Fax: (705) 564-3115

Outcomes

Long-term outcomes/Effectiveness:

Interest in the STOP program from other provinces and communities

Short-term outcomes:

45% decrease in snowmobile-related hospital admissions

Cost-Effectiveness:

Estimated annual savings of $72 960 in acute health care costs

Other Benefits:

Focus on injury prevention rather than crime prevention;
Fostering of police partnerships with civilians

Other

Date of Review:

2000

Classification:

Best Practice