Now is the time for snowmobilers to keep snowmobile safety a top-of-mind awareness issue. Snowmobile safety is nothing new to organized snowmobiling. Snowmobile administrators, the manufacturers, snowmobile associations and clubs joined together years ago in developing the Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safe™ safety campaign which emphasized safe snowmobiling practices, training and enforcement. The campaign includes safety related materials such as decals, posters, the Safe Riders! DVD, public service announcements, and more. Millions of Safe Riders! Snowmobiling Fact Books, Brochures and Posters have been distributed throughout the world to safety trainers and clubs and associations - free of charge- from the manufacturers' ISMA office. The 22-minute long DVD is an excellent adjunct tool for snowmobile safety classes. All of the Safe Riders! materials are available free of charge by filling out an order form and returning it to the ISMA office.

The Safe Riders! campaign highlights key issues of importance for snowmobile safety. The position statements are concise and easy to understand. They include:

Snowmobile Safety

1. Snowmobiling and Alcohol don't mix - don't drink and ride
2. When night riding slow down - expect the unexpected
3. Know before you go - always check local ice conditions
4. Cross all roads with care - don't become road-kill
5. One is the loneliest number - never ride alone
6. Know the risks and be prepared - make every trip a round trip
7. Ride smart ride right - stay in control
8. Smart Riders are Safe Riders - always take snowmobile safety training

Mountain riders need to be aware of their surroundings and snow conditions. The 5 key safety guidelines when riding in avalanche country are:

1. GET THE GEAR: Ensure everyone has an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe on their person and knows how to use them.
2. GET THE TRAINING: Take an avalanche course.
3. GET THE FORECAST: Make a riding plan based on the current avalanche and weather forecast.
4. GET THE PICTURE: If you see recent avalanche activity, unstable snow exists. Riding on or underneath slopes is dangerous.
5. GET OUT OF HARM’S WAY: One at a time on all avalanche slopes. Don’t go to help your stuck friend. Don’t group up in runout zones.

This year International Snowmobile Safety Week is January 21-29, 2017. Visit www.snowmobile.org for a guide for ideas on how to organize a Safety Week event in your area.
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