Howard
J. Doss
Michigan State University Extension
Despite
increased safety standards and regulations designed to make
snowmobiling safer, accidents continue to claim the lives
of snowmobilers in Michigan at an alarming rate. According
to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, last year
22 snowmobilers were killed in 603 accidents, up from 13 fatalities
in the 1992-93 season.
What:s
even more alarming is the number of snowmobilers killed in
Michigan as compared to the rest of the nation. The U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission reports that during the 1991-92
winter season there were 65 snowmobile fatalities in the nation;
17 of these fatal accidents occurred in Michigan.
In addition
to fatalities, there were 1,064 personal injuries during this
three-year period.
There
are too many variables to identify a single reason for the
increased number of accidents last year as compared to previous
years. What is known is that in almost all accidents the operator
likely used poor judgement such as driving too fast for the
situation, alcohol or drug usage, riding on thin ice, etc.
The
following safe snowmobiling rules will help reduce the risks
you take while still enjoying this fast-paced recreational
activity.
- Never
drive your snowmobile alone or on unfamiliar ground. Have
someone ride along with you so you can help each other in
case of a breakdown or accident.
- Drive
only on established and marked trails or in specified use
areas.
- Avoid
unknown waterways. Frozen lakes and rivers can be fatal.
It is almost impossible to judge adequate ice coverage or
depth without testing.
- Avoid
driving in bad weather. Check warnings for snowy "whiteouts,"
ice, and wind chill conditions before starting.
- Watch
the path ahead to avoid rocks, trees, fences (particularly
barbed wire), ditches and other obstacles.
- Slow
at the top of a hill. A cliff, snowbank, or other unforeseen
hazard could be on the other side.
- Don:t
hurdle snowbanks. You have control only when your skis are
on the ground.
- Learn
the snowmobile traffic laws and regulations for the area.
Many states prohibit using snowmobiles on public roads.
Some states have minimum age requirements for drivers.
- Be
sensible about stopping at roads or railroad tracks. Signal
your turns to other drivers. Avoid tailgating. Control speed
according to conditions.
- Use
extra caution if driving at night, unseen obstacles could
be fatal. Do not drive faster than you headlights will allow
you to see. Do not open new trails after dark.
- Never
drink alcohol while driving your snowmobile. Drinking and
driving can prove fatal.
- Be
sure the snowmobile is properly maintained. Some accident
cases report that the throttle sticks, leading to loss of
control. Snowmobiles manufactured before 1983 may not have
a "throttle interruption device" (emergency tether) designed
to shut off the snowmobile in the event the throttle sticks.
Reference:
Consumer Product Safety Alert - 009403.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This
document is part of the Safety News Series, Agricultural Engineering
Department, Michigan State University Extension, East Lansing,
Michigan, 48824-1323. Publication date: January 1995.
Howard
J. Doss, Safety Leader, Agricultural Engineering Department,
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1323.
This
information is for educational purposes only. Reference to
commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement
by the MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
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