Fatal snowmobile accidents in northern Sweden.

The number of snowmobiles registered in Sweden has increased rapidly in recent years. At the same time, there has been a proportional increase in the number of snowmobile accidents. In the present study all the 36 fatal accidents reported in northern Sweden in the period 1 July 1973 to 1 July 1981 have been scrutinized. Most of the fatalities were men, two thirds of them between 20 and 40 years of age. Most of the accidents occurred at weekends and during holidays, especially in the spring, when the traffic is heaviest. About two thirds of the fatal accidents occurred at night. Drowning and lacerations of the thorax and the head were the most common causes of death. Twenty-four of the 30 drivers killed were found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol. This suggests that alcohol was a major contributing factor to the accidents. Retrospective analyses of police, social, and medical records revealed that a high proportion of the deceased were habitual excessive drinkers. Preventive measures designed to reduce alcohol consumption while driving snowmobiles seem to be needed.