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March 11, 2016
Contact: Cpl. John Morey, 989-619-3784 or John Pepin, 906-226-1352
DNR urges snowmobilers to ride safely as trail conditions deteriorate across much of Michigan
Upper Peninsula death toll highest in more than a decade
Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are urging snowmobilers to use caution as warmer temperatures in recent days have deteriorated trail conditions across the state.
“When riding trails and enjoying the outdoors, always keep safety first and foremost in your mind,” said Cpl. John Morey, the DNR’s off-road vehicle and snowmobile coordinator.
 Over the past week, many parts of the state received rain and soaring temperatures, which significantly impacted Michigan’s snowmobile trails. Diminished riding conditions produce an increased need to use caution.
Places where trails may have been groomed and suitable for riding just a few days ago may now be covered with ice, pooled water or bare ground. Hazards, including rocks, fallen trees and other fixed objects may now be exposed or lying just a couple inches beneath the remaining snow.
“This spring-like weather we’ve experienced across much of the state, along with the associated decline in trail conditions, demands safety awareness of riders who want to continue to enjoy snowmobiling during the remaining days of the season,” said Lt. Peter Wright of the DNR Law Enforcement Division in Marquette.
Typically throughout the winter, riders seeking places to snowmobile with the best conditions often travel to locations they are unfamiliar with. Riders lacking knowledge of local trails and hazards often contribute to sledding accidents.
This winter, there has been an increase in snowmobile-related deaths in the Upper Peninsula where riding conditions had remained good in many places until the past week.
There have been 24 snowmobile fatalities in Michigan so far this winter, which is slightly above the 10-year average of 21 recorded since 2004.
However, in the U.P., the 15 people killed in sledding crashes this winter – which represents 62.5 percent of the death toll statewide – is the highest in more than a decade.
“Unfortunately, common denominators in the vast majority of snowmobile-related fatal accidents involve speed, alcohol and unfamiliarity with trails,” Wright said. “Riders can minimize risks by not drinking and driving, slowing down and driving within your ability and the ability of your sled.”
Wright said riders need to think defensively all the time.
“Maintain a safe distance from other sleds, stop in a safe location well off to the side of the trail if possible and carry a cell phone and a snowmobile trail map with you so you can get help quickly,” Wright said.
Since 2004, there have been a total of 247 snowmobile-related deaths in Michigan, with 101 of those occurring in the U.P. (41 percent). Last winter, there were a total of 14 snowmobile fatalities in Michigan, with six in the U.P.
Prior to this winter, the U.P. has recorded more than 50 percent of the winter’s sledding deaths only once since 2004 – during the 2006-2007 snowmobile season (55 percent).
Staff in the trauma department at Upper Peninsula Health System Marquette – Jodi McCollum, Lisa Taylor, Sarah Sutter and Tammy Louma – recently produced a safety brochure in response to this winter’s U.P. snowmobile fatalities.
The brochures are being distributed locally. The medical staff also wrote a letter to the editor, which was published in The Mining Journal, the region’s largest daily newspaper.
“It is not our wish for snowmobilers to not ride in Upper Michigan,” the letter read. “However, it is our wish that safety first and foremost becomes a priority as you enjoy this beautiful place we call home.”
As a partner managing about 20 percent of Michigan snowmobile trail miles, the U.S. Forest Service echoed the concern for snowmobile safety.
“Managing over 240 miles of snowmobile trail on the Hiawatha National Forest, we are very concerned about public safety on and near the trails,” said Cid Morgan, the Hiawatha’s forest supervisor.
Six of the U.P.’s 15 fatalities this winter occurred within the Hiawatha forest’s proclamation boundary.
The snowmobile trail miles within Michigan’s three national forests – Hiawatha, Ottawa and Huron-Manistee – are authorized through an interagency agreement with the DNR.
Forest Service recreation staff works closely with the DNR, clubs and groomers to ensure trail standards are maintained and Forest Service law enforcement officers participate in interagency snowmobile trail patrols.
“We believe education is a big part of the safety equation for snowmobilers,” Morgan said.
Morgan encouraged snowmobilers to regularly review key safety recommendations, including safe speeds, reflective gear and respect for traffic signs.
Some additional safety tips provided by the DNR include:
- Never assume the ice on lakes is safe. When possible, avoid crossing frozen bodies of water.
- When approaching an intersection, come to a complete stop, raise off the seat and look for traffic.
- Remain alert to avoid fences and low strung wires.
- Check the weather conditions before departure.
- Travel with another snowmobiler or, at minimum, let someone know where you’re going, what you’re doing and the time you plan to return. This includes leaving your planned travel route.
Safety rules and regulations which must be followed include:
- Always wear a helmet.
- Stay to the right side of the trail.
- Properly follow all trail regulatory signs, found in the DNR regulations brochure.
Michigan’s state snowmobile trail system is open to riders from Dec. 1 to March 31 to coincide with seasonal access leases for state trails that utilize private land.
For more information on snowmobiling in Michigan, including current laws and regulations, go to www.michigan.gov/snowmobiling.
To report a natural resource violation, please call the Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/rap.
Michigan conservation officers are fully-commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.
To learn more about Michigan’s conservation officers visit www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.
/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Suggested captions follow. Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Table: A table shows Michigan snowmobile fatalities from 2004-2014 with the Upper Peninsula portion and percentage of the total broken out. The number of fatalities in the U.P. this winter is the highest in more than a decade.
Riders: Snowmobilers enjoy one of the last good rides along a trail south of Marquette March 4. In the days that followed, warm temperatures and rain melted the snow on the trail, leaving blacktop exposed.\
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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