MINNESOTA UNITED SNOWMOBILERS ASSOCIATION FOR THE SPORT OF IT

In addition to recommending the safety certification classes, MnUSA offers the following advice for snowmobilers as they head back to the trails this season.

Ride Straight - no alcohol or drugs· even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment and response time significantly · drugs can impair judgment and response time

Know the trail or terrain and ride for the conditions · many accidents involve hitting a fixed object, fence, tree, rock or other objects · hidden objects on lakes hit at high speeds can result in serious accidents · riding on frozen lakes is especially dangerous early or late in the season

Slow it down, especially at night · maximum speed allowed on public land, frozen waters, roadside ditches and groomed trails in Minnesota is 50 mph or what is reasonable and prudent for conditions or as posted · at night, speeds should be slower because of reduced visibility · at 50 mph, riders need a football field - or 300 feet - to come to a complete stop · don't ride too closely - maintain space between snowmobiles to avoid collisions

Stay on marked snowmobile trails · marked trails offer signs that alert snowmobilers to trail changes, stops, curves, etc. · respect private property and stay on marked snowmobile trails - objects may be hidden under the snow off marked snowmobile trails

Sign up for a class - today · it's the law - anyone born after December 31, 1976 must take a Snowmobile Safety Certification course · MnUSA and certified snowmobile club volunteers and the DNR offer Youth and Young Adult/Adult classes. · for information about scheduled classes,contact MnUSA at (763) 577-0185 or online at info@mnsnowmobiler.org or the DNR at 1-888-MINNDNR or online at www.dnr.state.mn.us