Heavy snowfall in many parts of Wisconsin have lured many residents and visitors to the open, snowmobile trails, with the vast majority returning home safely. Sadly, three snowmobilers were killed in separate incidents over the weekend.
* On December 18, at 10:25 p.m. in Oconto County, a 31 year old, male from Wisconsin was riding fourth in a group of snowmobiles when he failed to negotiate a curve on the snowmobile road route and collided with a tree. The group had reportedly just left an area tavern. Speed and alcohol appear to be contributing factors.
* On December 19, at 1:35 a.m. in Oneida County, a 20 year old, female from Illinois was following another snowmobiler when she failed to follow the snowmobile road route, striking a house. The victim had reportedly just left an area tavern. Speed and alcohol appear to be contributing factors.
* On December 19, at 6:24 p.m. in Crawford County, a 41 year old, male from Iowa was operating down a town road at a high rate of speed when he approached an intersection with a state highway. The victim braked hard causing the victim to eject from the snowmobile and land on the state highway where he was struck by a motor vehicle. Speed appears to be a contributing factor.
During the 2008-09 season, Wisconsin experienced 23 snowmobile fatalities; the main contributing factors involved in 70 percent of those fatalities were speed, alcohol and nighttime operation or over-riding your headlights.
“Snowmobiling is way to spend time with family and friends while exploring the beautiful Wisconsin scenery, but everyone needs to remember to operate with a safety mindset,” says Gary Eddy, Department of Natural Resources snowmobile administrator. “We want Wisconsin to have one of the lowest fatalities rates in North America. Right now, we have one of the highest.”
“Don’t operate at excessive speeds, stay on the right side of the trail, be extra cautious at night, and perhaps most importantly, avoid consuming alcohol. We ask that riders practice ‘Zero Alcohol,’ which is refraining from drinking alcohol before or during your ride. Snowmobile trails can be bumpy, uneven and icy. You need all your concentration and ability to make constant corrections and adjustments. When people mix alcohol with snowmobiling, they are really setting themselves up for a tragedy.”
Snowmobilers riding in a group need to keep enough distance between themselves to stop safely if they see a hazard, and to use extra caution on corners and hills, Eddy says. Stay alert while crossing roads. "People are getting careless while crossing roads; sometimes with disasterous results. Always come to a complete stop and look both ways before crossing a roadway; never try to beat a vehicle across the road and never allow someone to wave you across without checking traffic for yourself."
And all snowmobilers need to remember to travel at speeds commensurate with their skill, knowledge of the trail, and visibility conditions, particularly at night. A good group leader knows and operates within the ability level of the least experienced rider.
Snowmobile head lights shine out only to 200 feet, so snowmobilers need to travel at a slow enough speed to allow them time to react when their headlights illuminate a hazard. The DNR recommends snowmobilers do not exceed 45 miles per hour at night, under normal conditions, to avoid overriding their headlights.
State law sets a 55 mile per hour speed limit from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Additional information about snowmobile safety tips, regulations and more is available on the snowmobile safety education pages of the DNR Web site.
“Nothing ruins a trip more than a crash or worse. Make a pact with the people you ride with to be safe and sober and return home safely,” Eddy said.
Snowmobilers turning age 25 require certification, rule pamphlet correction
People turning age 25 this January will need to graduate from a snowmobile safety course in order to operate a snowmobile in Wisconsin.
The Department of Natural Resources 2009 Wisconsin Snowmobile Law pamphlet incorrectly states that snowmobile safety certification is required for people at least age 12 and those born after December 31, 1985. The correct date of birth listed should be December 31, 1984. An internet course is available to people age 16 and older at: www.snowmobile-ed.com/wi
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