A Step-Up In Monitoring Snowmobile Rules

A string of snowmobiles, their headlights winking through the darkened trees, came over the crest of a hill on a groomed snowmobile trail, dipped down through a narrow fringe of trees bordering an open farm field, and then through an open stretch to visibly placed stop signs. This forced the trail riders to stop before safely crossing a Leelanau County road.

Department of Natural Resources' conservation officer, Mike Borkovich of Leelanau County, and I stood near the stop signs to check each sled for the required registration and snowmobile trail permit stickers. The trail permit sticker is required on all Michigan designated trails. The vast majority of the riders showed good common sense and a knowledge of snowmobiling rules.

Several of the riders paused long enough to tell us they appreciated our effort to keep their favorite winter pastime safe for all riders.

"Compliance with safety and trail use was excellent today," Borkovich said. "We've checked at least 200 snowmobiles so far, and have issued only one ticket to a female operator who did not have the  proper trail sticker on her sled. We issued two or three warnings, and one was for a person who strayed off the trail and traveled a short distance across a farm field. I felt a warning was sufficient, but if he had traveled any farther across the field, a ticket would have been issued."
Borkovich said he enforces the law but noted "we don't harass snowmobilers." He said he would much rather educate people than write tickets, but he will write one if someone doesn't tell him the truth. He can call in for a quick check on any person, and determine whether they have purchased a trail permit or not. If I'm told by a person that they bought a trail permit, and I call to check it out and learn the person did not tell me the truth, they get a ticket."

Mike Borkovich explains a rule to a snowmobiler.

He feels a somewhat elevated DNR presence during daylight and evening periods is necessary as a result of two major snowmobiling incidents in the past two weeks in Leelanau County. Two weeks ago, a teenager was on his sled when he was struck by the sled of an adult male who came across the top of his machine, broke the 15-year-old boy's knee in 20 places, and fled the scene of the accident, leaving the injured teen on the ground, writhing in pain.

"That accident is still under investigation," Borkovich said. "The adult male was driving a lime-green ZR800 Arctic Cat. That sled suffered damage to the left ski and possible damage to the cowling on the left side. Anyone with information about this accident can contact Borkovich at the Traverse City DNR Field Office, the Michigan State Police or the Leelanau County Sheriff's Department. "We want to talk with person as quickly as possible. The law requires that the operator of a snowmobile involved in an accident resulting in injury to, or death of, any person or property damage in an estimated amount of $100 or more, must immediately notify a law enforcement agency within the county in  which the accident occurred."

Another addicent occurred on Jan. 31 when a 19-year-old male from Hudsonville, Mich., was operating a snowmobile in Leelanau County's Solon Township, when he lost control of the sled as he crested a hill. The sled and rider crashed to the ground, and the sled caused severe injuries to the individual.

"There is no excuse for accidents like these," Borkovich said. "In the first situation, the man who crashed into the other sled, fled the scene when the injured boy's companion began calling 9-1-1 to report the accident. The Arctic Cat driver drove away and never reported the accident. In the second situation, it's possible that excessive speed may have been the cause of this accident, and that person is still hospitalized."

A trail permit is required on these trails.

He said that high speeds, use of alcohol or illegal drugs, and not using common sense are three leading causes of many snowmobile accidents. Several people have died on Michigan's snowmobile trails so far this season, but the exact number of deaths is not known. Other causes of snowmobile accidents that cause injuries or death include being struck by a a vehicle, hitting a tree or parked vehicle, breaking through the ice on a lake or river, and by simply not paying attention to their surroundings. It's important to realize that speed kills when operating a snowmobile. A person, driving too fast (which is basically over 45 miles per hour during the day or 25 miles per hour at night) can make it impossible for individuals to respond quickly enough to avoid an accident. A too-fast speed at night causes the machine to over-run the limit of its headlights, and this puts the person and the sled in danger of not being able to stop or slow down quickly enough to escape danger.

Copies of Michigan Snowmobile Regulations are available at DNR offices statewide, and in many private business that sell or service snowmobile or that sell licenses. A number of safe snowmobile riding hints include:

*Always keep your machine in top mechanical condition. A breakdown far from home or town can put sledders in a precarious situation if the weather turns nasty
*Always pay attention to trail signs, and especially signs that show a sharp curve ahead or a road or trail crossing. Follow noted speed signs, especially just before a sharp turn in the trail. Trying to navigate a sharp turn can cause the sled to turn over or the speed may seen the sled and rider up into the trees.
*Always wear insulated boots and clothes, including a helmet and gloves. It's always smart to carry a small first-aid kit on a ride.
*Never ride alone. Always ride with a friend on another snowmobile. The "buddy system" is as important to snowmobilers as it is to ice fishermen.
*Avoid, whenever possible, crossing frozen bodies of water. The ice may be thick enough for a single person but it may not support a heavy snowmobile and rider.
*Never operate in single file when crossing frozen bodies of water. Always maintain an adequate safety distance between each sled.
*Always be alert to avoid fences and low-strung wire. Never operate a snowmobile on a street or highway.

Signs like this are found along snowmobile trails, and it's in everyone's best interest, to obey them.

*Always look for depressions in the snow. The same applies to stumps or large rocks and boulders.
*At an intersection, come to a complete stop, raise up off the seat and look in both directions for oncoming traffic.
*Always check the weather before you go. Winter storm warnings are no place to be on a snowmobile. Often blizzard-like conditions reduce visibility, and there is a possibility of getting off a trail.
*Leave a travel plan and estimated time of return with a responsible individual.
*Slow down. Speed is a contributing factor in nearly all fatal accidents.
*Don't drink. Alcohol impairs judgment and slows reaction time. Make it NONE on the trail.
*Snowmobile safety education training is recommended for all first-time snowmobile operators and is required for youths 12-17 years of age.

Snowmobiles can provide many hours of wholesome family recreation when all common-sense rules are applied. However, as Borkovich has seen far too many times, speed and a lack of common sense can get people killed. That's why we were monitoring snowmobilers last Sunday, and why some people stopped long enough to thank us for spending our time in an attempt to make the sport safer for everyone.

Posted via email from Dave Richey Outdoors