MINNESOTA DNR SNOWMOBILE SAFETY TIPS (OTTER TAIL TIPS ARE BELOW)
Snowmobile riders throughout the state would welcome a fresh round of snowfall, but despite less-than-ideal conditions in some areas, they’re hitting 
lakes and trails with a fervor. In advance of Snowmobile Safety Awareness Week – January 19-27 – the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds snowmobilers of the importance of safe and responsible riding.
Minnesota has more than 22,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, about 21,000 of which are maintained by local snowmobile club volunteers. Add in the thousands of lakes on which people ride and there’s no shortage of opportunity to experience Minnesota atop a sled.
Every year, however, multiple riders are killed or injured while riding a snowmobile.
“Snowmobiling is fun and exciting – and is a great source of physical activity – but every time they fire up the engine snowmobilers should make safety their priority,” said Bruce Lawrence, recreational vehicle coordinator for DNR’s Enforcement Division. “By keeping a clear head and using common sense, snowmobile riders can go a long way toward ensuring a safe ride.”
Local Conservation Officer Matt Hutchins shared the following tips:
- Watch the weather and check trail conditions before riding – Don’t ride in adverse weather conditions. Plan your trip and check the trails you’ll be riding prior to departure. Check trail conditions and trail maps.
- Don’t drink alcohol and ride – Alcohol is a factor in over 70% of all fatal accidents in Minnesota, as well as many non-deadly snowmobile accidents. Alcohol and drugs have a negative effect on the driver’s vision, balance, coordination, and reaction time. Don’t ride with people who drink and ride! Minnesota is part of a larger coalition of snowmobiling states that support ‘Zero Alcohol’ consumption before or during your ride.
- Never ride alone – Always ride with a friend on another snowmobile. This way if one machine is disabled, you have another to get help.
- Dress for safety & survival –Always wear a quality DOT helmet and facemask. Wear layers of clothing to keep warm and dry. Snowmobile suits, bibs, jackets, gloves and mittens should cut the wind, repel water and keep you ventilated.
- Slow down – Excessive speed is a major factor in many accidents, especially at night. To help avoid accidents, keep your nighttime speed under 40 MPH.
- Stay to the right – Almost every trail is a “two-way” trail. So, stay to the far right of the trail, especially on hills and corners. Obey all trail signs and cross roadways with extreme caution.
- Stay on the trail or stay home – Trespassing is a major complaint about snowmobilers and can result in trail closure. Always stay on designated snowmobile trails. Venturing off of trails can result in accidents. Only ride private property when you have landowner’s permission.
- Riding on ice – lakes & rivers – It is safest to avoid riding on lakes and rivers. If you must ride on ice, wear a life jacket over your outer clothing. Stay on the marked trail and stay off of ice that has moving water (current) near or under it – ice in these areas may be thin and weak. Ice Safety Information
OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY OFFERS SNOWMOBILE SAFETY TIPS
Snowmobiling had its start as a recreational sport in northern Minnesota in 1955, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. In April 1968 Ralph Plaisted of St. Paul, Minnesota, further popularized snowmobiling when he and his expedition reached the North Pole on snowmobiles, being the first mechanized expedition to accomplish such a feat.
No doubt, snowmobiling is a popular activity in Otter Tail Power Company’s service area in northwest and west central Minnesota, eastern North Dakota, and northeastern South Dakota.
Most snowmobilers do some riding in road ditches. A lot of right-of-way for electrical facilities borders road ditches, and Otter Tail Power Company’s Safety Services Manager Greg Overland urges special emphasis on safety. “Watch for electrical equipment such as substations, poles, guy wires, junction boxes, and pad-mounted transformers that often are located near road ditches,” says Overland. “Beware of excessive speed that could keep you from seeing these and other obstacles in time to avoid them. And with snow cover, be mindful that some smaller equipment could be obscured just below the snow surface.”
Overland reminds snowmobilers to ride responsibly:
– Wear a helmet, eye protection, and other safety gear.
– Take a snowmobile safety course
– Use extra caution when riding at night, and don’t go faster than what your lights can illuminate in front of you.
– Don’t mix riding with alcohol or drugs.
“We remind everyone to exercise good judgment while snowmobiling,” says Overland. “Just a few seconds of caution can make a big difference in maintaining safety and well-being.”
