lets all remember to be safe riders
Amsnow
A note by Ed Klim, President of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, about riding safe.
"As I write this article, most of the great lakes region of North America is snow-covered, the lakes and rivers are freezing, deer-hunting season is coming to a close, and yes, the snowmobile trails are being marked and in many club areas, the groomers are already running. Thank goodness the weather report for a long, cold snowy winter is being confirmed by Mother Nature and now more than ever, it is important for all of us to make snowmobile safety a top of mind awareness issue.
"The snowmobile manufacturers, since the very beginning of snowmobiling, have been at the forefront of promoting snowmobile safety, but collectively, they raised the importance and emphasis on snowmobile safety beginning in 1994. For the last 6 years the snowmobile manufacturers, in cooperation with the snowmobile enthusiasts, government administrators and safety trainers have sponsored the Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safe safety campaign. The overall goal of the campaign is to promote snowmobile safety-related issues to enthusiasts worldwide, and to encourage and insist upon safe behavior while snowmobiling.
"The manufacturers meet with the enthusiasts through state and provincial association meetings and review and discuss the Safe Riders! campaign. The campaign consists of the distribution of a great amount of free collateral material used to promote safety related issues. The campaign material includes safety brochures, Snowmobiling Fact Book, decals, a safety video, public service announcements in print, radio and video formats, safety related posters and the promotion of the web site at www.snowmobile.org. The material is paid for by the manufacturers and distributed free of charge and is available to all safety trainers, clubs and associations. Since the beginning of the campaign, we have distributed well over one million brochures, 2 million decals and well over 60,000 safety videos.
"The cornerstone issues of the Safe Riders! campaign are important to remember throughout the snowmobiling season. They are as follows: (1) Snowmobiling and Alcohol Don't Mix - Don't Drink and Ride. (2) Know Before You Go - Always Check Local Ice Conditions. (3) When Night Riding, Slow Down - Expect the Unexpected. (4) Ride Safe and Stay On the Trail - Respect Private Property. (5) Cross With Care - Don't Become Road-Kill. (6) Ride Smart, Ride Right - Always Stay in Control. (7) One is the Loneliest Number - Never Ride Alone. These cornerstone issues of the campaign are key points we all need to remember this snowmobiling season.
"Throughout this snowmobile season and into the future, please be a Safe Rider and insist upon safe rider behavior with those around you. If you see unsafe behavior on or off the trails, please consider talking to the snowmobiler about his/her behavior. Also, we encourage you to participate in International Snowmobile Safety Week, from January 14th through the 20th, 2001. State/Provincial Associations and clubs throughout North America are holding special safety activities to promote safety issues and obtain government support in encouraging and enforcing Safe Rider behavior. If you would like to participate in International Snowmobile Safety Campaign at your club level, please contact the ISMA office to obtain a Safety Campaign Action Manual that will give you ideas to promote in your area for a Safety Week event. Thank you and enjoy a safe riding season."
Ed Klim
President- ISMA
517/339-7788