December 20, 2016 • Page 10 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com It’s Snow Going COURTESY PHOTO Snowmobile Season Is Here — And So Is The Need To Brush Up On Safety Rules BY LORETTA SORENSEN P&D Correspondent Sleek, fast snowmobiles have been turning cold and snowy country sides into an exciting and adventurous winter wonderland for nearly 90 years. It was in 1927 that Wisconsin’s Carl Eliason patented the feature of his motorized toboggan which defined the first workable, single-track, one-passenger snowmobile. For 31 years he continued to refine the “Eliason Motor Toboggan.” In 1937, Eliason’s first competitor, J. Armand Bombardier, patented a tracked vehicle intended for traveling over snow. Another snowmobile design, the “iron dog,” was produced in the 1940s and J. Armand Bombardier introduced the Ski-Doo snowmobile in 1959. Today’s snowmobiles are made with light, highly durable materials. They are also more fuel-efficient and much faster, increasing the risk of snowmobile accidents. Gary Eddy, ATV/Snowmobile Administrator-Bureau of Law Enforcement of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), says snowmobile safety is a top priority in his state, involving a minimum 6-hour course to obtain a snowmobile license. “Many times there’s a perception that if you can drive a car you can drive a snowmobile,” Eddy says. “But snowmobiles are very unique machines with unique controls, and these machines behave quite differently than any other off-road motorized vehicle.” Snowmobiles are designed with skis on the front that are used for steering the machine. A rubberized track at the back of the machine propels it forward. As if that unique design isn’t enough of a challenge in controlling a snowmobile’s behavior, varying snow conditions can cause snowmobiles to behave in different ways, too. “Steering a snowmobile on Icy, hard packed snow is different than steering it in either heavy wet snow or powdery snow,” Eddy says. “There’s a wide variety of skills necessary to safely operating a snowmobile in these different conditions.” When Wisconsin snowmobilers complete a safety training course, they’re advised of the body weight adjustments that will affect how a snowmobile moves. Learning how to use bodyweight to make turns easier is also explained during the training course. “Our training emphasizes the need for snowmobilers to operate their machine within their own personal experience comfort level,” Eddy says. A proper safe braking distance is going to depend on snow conditions, and wide open terrain is the safest and easiest type of area for beginners to start learning how to operate their snowmobile.” Winding, twisting trails may provide scenic views on a snowmobile ride, but they also increase the risk of crashing into an unseen snowmobile around a sharp corner or missing a turn and tipping the machine and injuring riders. Regardless of the terrain selection, snowmobilers need a thorough understanding of the laws in the state where they’re riding. “Speed restrictions and operator age restrictions are common to most states,” Eddy says. “In some states, certain age categories are required to complete training modules before they ride.” Because modern snowmobiles can quickly reach high speeds, riders are encouraged to use caution on each ride since snow conditions play a significant role in how quickly a snowmobile moves. “It’s pretty easy to give too much throttle,” Eddy says. “In ideal snow conditions, snowmobiles will quickly pick up speed and may catch riders off guard. If a rider panics and then freezes due to unexpected behavior of their machine, a serious accident can occur quickly.” After selecting responsible snowmobile group to ride with, Since many snowmobile activities take place during vacation riders new to snowmobiling are encouraged to ride in the middle times, riders may become too lax in observing safety guidelines of the pack with every rider operating at a speed that’s comfortand avoiding alcohol during a ride. While alcohol should not be able for newest and inexperienced riders. It’s also recommended used when operating any motor vehicle, snowy and icy snowthat snowmobilers avoid riding alone, relying on the buddy mobile trails require peak alertness and ability to respond to an system to help them remain safe. unexpected event. “Another good practice is developing a written plan for any “In Wisconsin we promote a zero alcohol tolerance for ride and leaving that information with someone who can monitor snowmobilers,” Eddy says. “That same approach is used by the whether or not the ride begins and ends as planned,” Eddy says. International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association. In our “Stick with that plan, too, so if something does happen someone state, if we see a fatal snowmobile accident, at least 50 percent of knows where to look for you and how long you’ve been gone.” the time it involves alcohol.” Dressing appropriately for weather conditions and avoiding South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks snowmobile rules and riding in adverse weather such as snowstorms are additional regulations include the requirement to immediately report an safety precautions. accident to law enforcement if the accident is on public lands, “Going out when visibility is poor could mean you put frozen public waters or private lands leased for snowmobile use. emergency responders in danger if they have to search for you,” The requirement is also necessary if damage to the snowmobile Eddy says. “Before starting any ride, make sure your snowmobile involved in the accident is in excess of $1,000 and/or results in a is in good working condition by checking necessary fluids and death or injury requiring medical attention for anyone involved ensuring spare equipment such as spark plugs are stocked on in the accident. the machine. It’s against South Dakota law to trespass on private land “Maintaining a basic first aid kit on the snowmobile is also a without permission and operate a snowmobile in a reckless key safety practice,” Eddy says. “Our training programs aren’t manner. South Dakota has no age limitation for the operation of intended to make anyone a snowmobile expert, but they provide a snowmobile, but no person under the age of 14 may drive a a safety practices foundation that riders can build on.” snowmobile across a roadway unless directed by a parent, legal guardian or someone who is at least 18. “In some states, only youth are required to complete snowmobile operation training,” Eddy says. “Other states require training for an age range which includes some adults. Today’s snowmobiles not only go fast more quickly, suspension seats make the ride smoother. That means operators may not recognize how rough the terrain they’re riding across is. Today’s trail on NEW & USED VEHICLES grooming equipment is also very effective, which means riders may not recognize how the potential for speed on a well-groomed trail. It can be 4-Door Crewcab, Rear Camera, Heated Seats, Chrome Package a comfortable but dangerous ride.” Eddy recommends that snowmobile riders carefully $ * a month study their state snowmobile laws in order to remain safe during rides. Taking advanOR tage of training resources will further understanding of safety practices and provide opportunity to use the practices $ in a controlled and supervised environment. “Implementing state safety $ practices are a recipe for a successful snowmobile ride,” Eddy says. “Trail maps are readily available and apps for Smartphones are widely SE Hatchback, Rear Camera, Sport Package, 40 MPG available, too. 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