By Joanne M. Haas/Bureau of Law
Enforcement
There have been 14 fatalities among
snowmobilers statewide this winter – a total Wisconsin's snowmobile safety
administrator says is 14 too many.
"We'd like to work together,
concentrate on being as safe as possible while enjoying what's left of our
snowmobile season," Conservation Warden and Snowmobile Safety Administrator
Gary Eddy says. "Speed, alcohol and night-time operation are the three most
common factors with our fatal accidents."
Eleven of the 14 fatalities are
alcohol-involved, Eddy says.
There were 10 snowmobile fatalities
for all of the 2011-12 season, which was nearly non-existent in a large part of
the state area due to a lack of snow, Eddy says. Some parts of Wisconsin are
getting more snow today as storms move into the Midwest for the weekend and the
coming week.
The latest two deaths occurred in
the last two days. A double-fatality (operator and passenger) occurred sometime
overnight into early morning on Thursday, Feb. 21, in Ashland County when two
snowmobilers failed to arrive at Madeline Island after leaving Bayfield. The
bodies were recovered from the South Channel of Lake Superior.
Eddy says as the winter winds down
and spring gets closer, the ice conditions also start changing -- adding
another risk to snowmobilers.
"Ice conditions will begin to
deteriorate rapidly," Eddy says. "Snowmobilers will need to exercise a high
degree of caution if operating on late-season ice. The best choice is to stay
off the ice altogether."
In addition to avoiding late-season
ice, Eddy encourages all snowmobilers to:
- Ride
with a safety mindset.
- Slow
down.
- Ride
under control.
- Practice
"Zero Alcohol." Eddy says that means refraining from drinking any alcohol until
you're home and done riding for the day.
- Take
a safety course. Snowmobile safety certification is required of all operators
at least age 12 and born on or after January 1, 1985.
Wisconsin is big for snowmobiling
where 25,000 miles of trails are groomed for fun statewide. On average,
Wisconsin registers 220,000 snowmobiles and sells more than 20,000 non-resident
trail passes.
"Snowmobiling is a great winter
activity and we want people to ride safe so that they can come home to their
families and ride again," Eddy says.
To learn more about safe
snowmobiling, visit: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/snowmobile/
