One Thing I never on Snowmobile Forums

[smgordon]

SAFETY

Doesn't anyone care about this?

Locally in the last month 5 people have died and another 4 were injured.

Back in 1976 My Uncle was in an accident and it paralyzed him from the middle of his back on down to his feet. on the way home from work he was riding home in the ditch and the snowmobile hit a large rock that was hidden by the snow and flipped over on top of him and broke his back.

Don't get me wrong guys and gals I like riding the sled too. But it seems that more and more people either ignore the dangers or just totally oblivious of their surroundings.

It used to be a fun way to get from one place or another and to be a great way to explore and enjoy nature.

Be Safe & enjoy life on a sled

[upersleder]

one thing you have to understand. there are more stupid people with money now than yesterday.....

i totally agree with you, but with TV shows showing all the crazy things guys do ect. its an uphill battle.

[SnowBunny550]

Unfortunately, for as many smart, "ride by their capabilities" and courteous riders there are out there, there will be at least a handful of people that ride beyond their abilities and just generally show a lack of concern for anyone but themselves.

It doesn't take many from the latter group to make a sled outing treacherous for many.

But, hopefully the safety message is getting to a few more people everyday, and the accidents will decline. We can inform & hope, right?

[smallengineguy]

I think upersleder hit it perfectly. You see younger folks seeing the stunt shows, etc, then assume their sled can do the same thing....Safety First!

[smgordon]

I found this and I hope everyone passes the word.

Safe Snowmobiling - a High Priority

ISMA (International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association) - Welcome

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ed Klim


Snowmobile safety has always been a high priority with the manufacturers and organized snowmobiling. Today, the manufacturers, along with the snowmobile community, are more involved than ever in making snowmobile safety a top of mind awareness issues for all snowmobilers. The Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safe™ safety campaign is supported worldwide by snowmobile enthusiasts. Over 80% of all snowmobilers recognize the Safe Riders! logo and understand the campaign position statements. The campaign is very straight forward and brings to the forefront the need to analyze risks and not take improper risks while snowmobiling. The campaign position statements are:

1. Snowmobiling and alcohol don't mix, don't drink and ride

2. Know before you go! Always check local ice conditions

3. When night riding, slow down! Expect the unexpected.

4. Ride safe, stay on the trail. Respect private property.

5. Know the risks, and be prepared. And make every trip a round trip.

6. Cross with care, don't become road-kill

7. Snowmobiling is a fun family life-style activity, join us today.

8. Ride smart, ride right, stay in control

9. One is the loneliest number, never ride alone

10. Promote your right to ride, get involved

11. Smart riders are safe riders, take snowmobile safety training

12. Snowmobiling: A way to connect with family and friends - Go Snowmobiling

These position statements are all contained within the 12 separate, four-color posters designed to attract attention and help send the message clearly to snowmobilers. The posters are distributed to state and provincial associations, safety trainers, sheriff's offices, Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors bureaus and others in hopes that they will be prominently displayed and help communicate the messages to the snowmobiling public.

The manufacturers encourage a consistent message to be distributed to snowmobilers. The snowmobile community understands the synergy that occurs when we all sing from the same sheet of music, and using the Safe Riders! logo and the related campaign messages helps us all be better safe snowmobilers.

The manufacturers actively encourage safety training programs and work through the Safe Riders! campaign to support those efforts.

The campaign material includes not only the posters and the snowmobiling fact book, but also the Safe Riders! video and TV and Radio ready public service announcements. The video serves as an excellent visual support piece for safety training and familiarization.

The safety campaign recognizes many of the accidents occur because a rider has consumed alcohol affecting reaction time and judgment. Reaction time and altered judgment affects coordination, cornering, good judgment and causes over confidence.

The manufacturers invite all snowmobilers to participate in the International Snowmobile Safety Week - January 14-20, 2007. The Safety Week Campaign Action Manual is made available on the ISMA web site to aid clubs or snowmobile related businesses in sponsoring safety events for Safety Week.

The campaign is continually expanding to better serve the snowmobiling public and all of the materials are readily available through the ISMA office free of charge. To obtain an order form one can visit the ISMA web site at ISMA (International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association) - Welcome . When you are at the web site you will also be able to obtain a great deal of current information on snowmobiling.

[JDS]

My brother-in-laws girl friend was killed in a sled crash several years ago. It was due to too much speed at night. Be safe, guys.

[RJ Gleason]

This is where the clubs are being involved can help. By sponsoring the safety courses and safety checks and being a visible presence on their trails along with law enforcement.
Getting a rein on the younger ones at the earliest possible age is the best way to stop these kinds of actions. If we can get more enforcement of the drinking and driving penalties, this too will have and effect.
There is no way that you can legislate against stupidity, however you can try to make the stupidity go away with education.

Join a club, be involved, and make a difference.

[Happy Jack]

Last week a young kid was killed while being towed on an inner tube. The sled was being driven by a 15 year old. I think they were cousins. What a way to tear a family and small town apart.

The tragedies are usually a result of adults behaving like kids, or adults not supervising their kids.

[mmrosshere]

Another thing to think about is that not only are there more sleds out there. There are a lot more high power sleds. As a kid a high power sled had 50hp now I think you can ger 250hp almost off the shelf

[skidoo_magoo]

Originally Posted by smallengineguy

I think upersleder hit it perfectly. You see younger folks seeing the stunt shows, etc, then assume their sled can do the same thing....Safety First!

i dunno, to me, its more about how smart the person is watching it. i like watching that stuff, but im not stupid enough to try a backflip or anything off a crappy jump. of course, i never blame TV/movies/video games for anything in any situation they usually get blamed for...

always been taught safety since the beginning. very first thing i was told was to leave plenty of room because (maybe not so much any more...still kind of an issue though) snowmobiles dont stop too well haha. a guy i know runs a safety class, there have been more and more people (adults as well) who have been showing up to them. now, i had to when i was younger to ride in certain places (like, at 13, you can opertate a snowmobile if you have a safety card in some spots). it was interesting, i think newer riders should do it.