Snowmobile Safety

Snowmobiling can be an exciting experience and a fun way to enjoy winter, but it can lead to severe injury or even death if the proper safety precautions are not taken. The most common factors of snowmobile incidents are vehicle speed, drinking or drug use, operator error, operator inexperience and trail conditions.

Tips for snowmobiling safely:

• Take an approved safety course. Approved courses vary by state. A snowmobile safety course can teach you the rules and how to ride safely and responsibly. First-time riders will learn about important riding techniques and how to avoid hazards.
• Wear a properly-fitted snowmobile helmet.
• Ride at a safe speed. Many trails have posted speed limits to follow. Driving at a moderate pace will better allow you to react to an unexpected occurrence on the trail and avoid an accident. Excess speed is a top factor in many snowmobile fatalities.  
• Avoid alcohol and other drugs. Just like driving a car, operating a snowmobile while impaired can lead to poor judgement and delayed responses leading to crashes.
• Ride on the right side of the trail.
• Be cautious at intersections. When approaching an intersection, come to a complete stop, raise off the seat and look both ways for traffic.
• Anticipate and yield to trail groomers.
• Always check the weather and trail conditions before you start your trip to be prepared for what’s ahead. If lakes are along your path, be sure to check on local ice conditions.
• Stay alert. Be observant and watch for people, animals, and other obstacles in your path, such as rocks, fallen trees, barbed wire fences, deer, and open water.
• Stay warm and dry by wearing several thin layers:  moisture-wicking inner layers for keeping moisture away from the skin, insulating middle layers, and a waterproof/windproof outer layer. Being able to add or remove layers with changing weather conditions helps avoid overheating or hypothermia.