Haslett, MI - The four snowmobile manufacturers are
pleased to support and encourage participation in the upcoming International
Snowmobile Safety Week Jan. 13-19. Snowmobilers have placed safe, responsible
snowmobiling at the top of their list for years and have made great strides in
safety education and enforcement. Snowmobile safety is a year-round project
that is supported by safety trainers, clubs, associations, enforcement
officials, dealers and the manufacturers throughout the world.
In 1995 the snowmobile community joined
together and developed the Safe Riders! You Make Snowmobiling Safe safety
campaign, and since its inception, literally millions of pieces of information
have been distributed throughout the marketplace, encouraging and insisting on
safe snowmobiling behavior.
The Safe Riders! DVD is used by safety
trainers throughout the world. In addition to the safety DVD, the manufacturers
have also developed radio and TV public service announcements reminding
snowmobile enthusiasts of the need to snowmobile responsibly and safely. Also
available are the Snowmobiling Fact Book and Snowmobile Safety brochure.
The Safe Riders! campaign focuses on key
areas of concern that are the major causes of snowmobile accidents. Those key
issues are depicted in snowmobiling safety posters (also available free of
charge from the ISMA office) and include:
- Snowmobiling and alcohol don't mix, don't
drink and ride
- Know before you go, always check local ice
conditions
- When night riding, slow down, always
expect the unexpected
- Ride safe, stay on the trail, always
respect private property
- Cross roads with care, don't become road
kill
- Ride smart, ride right, always stay in
control
- One is the loneliest number, never ride
alone
- Know the risks and be prepared, make
every trip a round trip (be avalanche smart).
If you manage a club or local snowmobile
association and are interested in participating in the International Snowmobile
Safety Week, ISMA has available the Safety Week Campaign Action Manual on its website
www.snowmobile.org. The manual provides
tips on how to organize a local safety campaign and promote the Safe Riders!
position. (Tip: ISMA encourages snowmobile safety year around and if the
weather doesn't cooperate ISMA always encourages you to promote safety in your
area any time during the year.)
If any snowmobile enthusiast, manager,
club president or safety trainer is interested in obtaining any of the free
Safe Riders! information for distribution, contact the ISMA Office at (517)
339-7788 for an order form. The order forms can also be requested through the
ISMA website at www.snowmobile.org.
It is important that all of us remember
to be safe riders and that only we TOGETHER make snowmobiling safe. Encourage
and insist on proper behavior by your family and friends while snowmobiling and
with Mother Nature certain to provide us with great snowmobiling conditions ...
eventually ... this winter, let's always remember the safety guidelines that
are so important to keep our winter recreation of choice alive.