Snowmobile Safety

Snowmobile Safety

by Rita Hutner

The risks of snowmobiling can be minimized by using good equipment and common sense.

Snowmobile Helmets help. Following is an article by the staff of the Canadian publication, SmartRisk, and highlights the dangers associated with snowmobiling--a sport that is popular not only in Canada, but also in the U.S.

Snowmobiling remains popular for Canadians seeking a fun recreational activity, or a versatile mode of winter transportation. But it also continues to top the list of winter's most lethal sports. The same is true in the U.S.

According to a study released in 2003 by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 16% of severe sports and recreational injuries in Canada in 2000/2001 involved snowmobiles. That ranks second only to cycling (18%).

Most of those injured on snowmobiles were men in their early 30s. And of the 92 people admitted to hospital with snowmobile injuries, fully one quarter had drunk alcohol or taken drugs before heading out into the snow. Also, many were not wearing snowmobile helmets.

"The risk of serious injury can be significantly reduced by not consuming alcohol prior to snowmobiling, or prior to participating in any winter sports," says Dr. Robert Conn, President and CEO of SMARTRISK. "People need to realize that by riding a snowmobile without a helmet or after they have been drinking, they are taking a huge risk which can have tragic consequences."

Snowmobile help is readily available in Canada and the U.S. at sports centers and online. Use your browser to find online sources or snowmobile helmets; a click of your mouse could make the difference between having fun and having no life at all.

Check your snowmobile's parts. The working condition of your snowmobile is of utmost importance. There are now online sites where you can purchase snowmobile parts to maintain your machine in tip top condition.

A malfunctioning part cannot only ruin your snowmobile, but it can cause a serious and sometimes fatal accident. It is important to note that any sport or recreation that involves complicated machinery (such as a snowmobile or a motorcycle) requires constant vigilance to maintain that machine in good and safe running order. 

About the Author

Rita Hutner is a copywriter for Catalogs.com. Catalogs.com is the Internet's leading source for print and online catalog shopping - and a growing hub of original content and "how to" information at www.catalogs.com  

Snowmobile Safety - Links of Interest

Drunk Driving (DUI) Driving Under the Influence
Illegal in most jurisdictions, drunk driving is responsible for a large number of deaths, injuries, and accidents every year throughout the world.

Wisconsin Snowmobile & Safety
Wisconsin has always been a great state for snowmobiling and fun, but safety is a must.

Snowmobile Safety Institute
Snowmobile/ATV Police Emergency & Tactical Vehicle Operations

ISMA (International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association)
ISMA is a snowmobile rganization representing the four major snowmobile manufacturers.

Arctic Cat
- headquartered in Thief River Falls, MN
Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP)
- headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec Canada
Polaris Industries
- headquartered in Medina, MN
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
- headquartered in Cypress, CA

Michigan Snowmobiling-  Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Things you need to know snowmobiling in Michigan

Snowmobile Safety
Alberta Sled Smart Safety

Snowmobile Trail Safety
Last year people died senselessly in snowmobile accidents and 250+ were injured. All of them could have been avoided if the operators had just followed some basic safety rules. 

Snowmobile Information Articles of Interest

Snowmobile Articles of Interest
A compilation of resourceful snowmobile articles on snowmobiling, winter, weather and other related resources of special interest.

Snowmobile News For Michigan
Snowmobile Michigan News- Snowmobiling Trail and Weather condition News Articles & Updates

Snowmobile News from around the Nation & Canada
Daily snowmobile news feed from around the country and Canada.  See what's happening on the snowmobile world wide web.