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.