Snowmobile Safety

By the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association

Now is the time for snowmobilers to keep snowmobile safety a top-of-mind awareness issue. Snowmobile safety is nothing new to organized snowmobiling. Snowmobile administrators, manufacturers, associations and clubs joined together years ago to develop the Safe Riders!

You make snowmobiling safe™ safety campaign, which emphasized safe snowmobiling practices, training and enforcement. The campaign includes safety-related materials, such as decals, posters, the Safe Riders! DVD, public service announcements and more.

Millions of Safe Riders! snowmobiling fact books, brochures and posters have been distributed throughout the world to safety trainers, clubs and associations – free of charge – from the manufacturers’ International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) office.

The Safe Riders! campaign highlights key issues of importance for snowmobile safety. The position statements are concise and easy to understand. They include:

1. Snowmobiling and alcohol do not mix – don’t drink and ride
2. When night riding, slow down – expect the unexpected
3. Know before you go – always check local ice conditions
4. Cross all roads with care – don’t become road-kill
5. One is the loneliest number – never ride alone
6. Know the risks and be prepared – make every trip a round trip
7. Ride smart, ride right – stay in control
8. Smart riders are safe riders – always take snowmobile safety training

Mountain riders need to be aware of their surroundings and snow conditions. The five key safety guidelines when riding in avalanche country are:

1. Get the gear: Ensure everyone has an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe on their person and knows how to use them
2. Get the training: Take an avalanche course
3. Get the forecast: Make a riding plan based on the current avalanche and weather forecast
4. Get the picture: If you see recent avalanche activity, unstable snow exists. Riding on or beneath slopes is dangerous.
5. Get out of harm’s way: Proceed one at a time on all avalanche slopes. Don’t go to help your stuck friend. Don’t group up in runout zones.

This year’s International Snowmobile Safety Week is January 21 to 29, 2017. Visit www.snowmobile.org for a guide on how to organize a Safety Week event in your area.