| s inevitable wasn't it? The introduction of speed | | | | Just as on the roads, we can't always blame the |
| cameras on ski slopes. | | | | people driving at high speeds. It is possible they are |
| Is it the thoughtlessness of a handful of daredevil | | | | totally competent and in control - even if they are |
| speed demons that have messed up the fun for the | | | | breaking the law! The problem is often other people |
| rest of us? Or is this health and safety gone crazy | | | | on the roads (or pistes). If you come up behind |
| again? Have we as a human race become so | | | | someone going slow on the road (or piste) and want |
| irresponsible that we need the Nanny State to | | | | to overtake them it is always potentially hazardous. |
| protect us from ourselves even when we're out | | | | You just can't know what the other person is going |
| trying to spend our hard-earned cash on holiday and | | | | to do. You also don't know if another car is going to |
| having a little fun? | | | | pull out of an unseen side road (or out of the trees), |
| Well, sadly the statistics are not good. With the high | | | | or a deer (or snow machine) will suddenly appear in |
| number of accidents, injuries and deaths at ski | | | | front of you. |
| resorts throughout the world every year, it does | | | | The drink driving laws have just about taken all the |
| seem that something has to be done. The number of | | | | drunks off our roads, but on the slopes you are still |
| skiing accidents has noticeably increased in | | | | likely to come across someone who's partaken of a |
| Switzerland alone, with accidents in the tens of | | | | bit too much Gluhwein during their lunch stop. No one |
| thousands last year, many of which were fatal or | | | | stops them strapping on the skis or board and |
| caused serious injuries. The number of helicopter | | | | potentially endangering the lives of others. Then |
| rescues also increased - to the tune of hundreds in | | | | there are the novices skiing out of control on slopes |
| just one month. | | | | beyond their abilities. Skiing in flat light can also be |
| So, the Swiss have had enough and are putting | | | | dangerous, no matter how experienced you are. You |
| speed cameras on the slopes. Ski personnel will catch | | | | can't see all the bumps and dips in the terrain - or the |
| the speeders with hand-held radar gadgets. Those | | | | icy spots - and if you hit them at great speed you |
| who are caught are given a warning first, and then | | | | may find yourself heading for a tree or another skier, |
| could face a fine or confiscation of their ski pass. The | | | | and there's nothing you can do to stop that impact |
| cameras are in operation at Andermatt and will also | | | | from happening. It could be expensive at best. |
| be in operation at other major resorts like Davos, St. | | | | Tests using dummies have been carried out (like the |
| Moritz and Zermatt. Some may applaud Switzerland | | | | ones they do with cars). It was shown that speeds |
| for taking a stand - but will this new trend catch on | | | | above 19 mph (30km/h) are unsafe. Speeds much |
| in ski resorts throughout the world? | | | | above that figure are highly likely to cause fatalities if |
| In a perfect world, we'd all be at liberty to hurl | | | | something goes wrong. |
| ourselves down the slopes and not have to worry | | | | So will speed cameras on slopes be a trend that is |
| about anyone else. We'd never get hurt or killed or | | | | likely to spread throughout the world at all ski |
| injure another innocent person. It is because we don't | | | | resorts? For many it will take all the fun, excitement |
| have this ability that anyone who sets off on a ski | | | | and thrill out of it. Will speedometers on skis be the |
| trip without taking out travel insurance and winter | | | | next trend? How else can we monitor our speed or |
| sports coverage should have their head tested. If | | | | have any idea how fast we're going? Will there be |
| you're not aware of the potential astronomical | | | | speed limit signs posted at the sides of the ski runs |
| medical expenses associated with helicopter rescues, | | | | that we have to obey, as on the roads? |
| serious injuries and broken limbs (especially in North | | | | Speed is not the only danger when out skiing. This ski |
| America) then it's time for a wake up call! | | | | season twenty-six people have been killed by |
| The beautifully groomed pistes may be partly to | | | | avalanches in Europe in less than one month! The |
| blame. It's hard to resist pointing the board or tips | | | | average annual number of people killed in avalanches |
| down the hill and just going for it. But on crowded | | | | in the U.S. is around twenty-five, but often much |
| slopes it just isn't smart. There's no question that | | | | higher. Other weather-related hazards cannot be |
| skiing and snowboarding and other winter sport | | | | ignored, such as blizzards and sudden changes in the |
| activities can be very dangerous. If you've ever had | | | | weather and conditions. |
| a run in with a tree, or another skier and survived it | | | | Who would have thought we'd see the day they put |
| you will already know what a painful impact it can be. | | | | speed cameras on ski slopes. What's next? |