January 13-19, 2019 is International Snowmobile Safety and
Awareness Week. This is the perfect time to talk about smart snowmobiling habits
so you can have a safe, fun time in the great outdoors all season long.
Below are a few safety tips to follow when you’re out on the
trail:
· Don’t
drink and ride. You wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) drink and drive a car, and you
shouldn’t consume alcohol if you’re going to operate a snowmobile. You need to
keep your full attention on operating the machine. Drinking dulls your senses
and reflexes, which increases the likelihood of an accident. Don’t put yourself
or any other riders at risk—leave the alcohol at home. (Many states have laws
prohibiting alcohol consumption when operating a snowmobile).
Dress
appropriately. Like any sport or
activity, wear the proper equipment for riding—suit, helmet with eye
protection, gloves, and boots. You should also layer your regular clothing
under the gear so you stay warm and dry.
Avoid private property. When you get out on the trail, stay on designated snowmobiling paths only. If you venture onto private property, you could get cited for trespassing.
Go slow. Speeding is the number one cause of snowmobiling accidents. It is recommended to keep your speed at or under 40 mph, especially at night. It’s also not advisable to cross bodies of water on a snowmobile, even if it appears to be frozen. You can never be sure of the ice’s thickness, and you have less control of your snowmobile on ice, so it’s harder to get and maintain traction on a slick surface.
Don’t
ride alone. Snowmobiling is better with multiple riders in a group. Not
only is it more fun, but it’s easier to keep track of each other when you’re on
the trail. It all comes back to having a safe, fun experience in nature.
Snowmobile insurance is another way to protect both yourself
and your snowmobile. At ETA Insurance Group, we work with several carriers that
offer plans for riders’ various needs and budgets. Contact us for more
information about this valuable coverage and to learn more about the carriers
we work with.
Are there any other tips you’d add to this list? We’d love
to hear from you in the comments below!
