Copyright 2015 linkinglewiscounty.com  all rights reserved       privacy policy here
Law Enforcement Agencies Gather for Annual
Snowmobile Season Kickoff Meeting in Constableville
12/15/18 11:00am         By: Nick Altmire
Shop for 2016 NFL Drafted Player Jerseys at NFLShop.com
    Constableville, NY- Agencies from around New York State gathered at the
    Constableville fire hall on Wednesday, for the 15th Annual Snowmobile Unit
    Report Meeting.

    The meeting is coordinated each year by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office and
    Deputy Mike Leviker.

    Agencies from across the state get together to discuss statistics from the
    previous snowmobile season, any changes in laws for the new season, and
    trade ideas on enforcement tactics used to help keep snowmobile trails safe.

    Law enforcement agencies from Lewis, Oswego, Oneida and Madison
    counties, in addition to the Old Forge, Rome and Oneida Indian Police were
    represented, as well as NYS Forest Rangers, NYS Park Police, NYS Police,
    NYS Environmental Conservation officers, NYS Office of State Parks and the
    NYS Snowmobile Association.

    Attendees were given a statistical overview of the 2017-18 snowmobile season
    in New York State, compiled by Bennett Campbell with the NYS Office of
    Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

    There were 166 reported snowmobile accidents in the state during the 2017-18
    season, involving 196 snowmobiles. The report indicated 7 fatalities as a result
    of snowmobile crashes for the season, down from the 23 fatalities reported in
    snowmobile crashes in New York State during the 2016-17 season.

    Collisions with a fixed object accounted for half of the 166 reported crashes in
    2017-18, with 19% involving a tree, 16% a snow embankment and 11%
    involving an earth embankment.

    Unsafe speed was determined as the primary or secondary factor in 37% of all
    crashes. Alcohol was involved in 8% of the crashes, with 2 of the 7 fatal
    crashes attributed to alcohol.

    Herkimer and Lewis counties tied for the most reported crashes in the state last
    season, with each reporting 36. Of the 36 crashes in Herkimer county, 35
    occurred in the town of Webb.

    Officials noted the current season has already seen three fatal crashes in the
    area, all occurring last weekend, with two in Herkimer County and one in Lewis
    County.

    Lewis County did not have a snowmobile fatality in the 2017-18 season,
    making it only the third season since 1996-97 that a snowmobile fatality did not
    occur in the county.

    During the session officials also discussed the amount of tickets issued last
    season, safety education classes held and changes in the law.

    Agencies also learned the portion of NYS Aid for Snowmobile Enforcement
    they were receiving for the 2017-18 season.
Opening remarks from Lewis County Sheriff Michael Carpinelli and Deputy Michael
Leviker and introductions from the 15th Annual Snowmobile Unit Report Meeting in
Constableville