There’s no denying we’ve had a mild winter thus far. But as most of us know, that can change in a heartbeat. And when it does, about the only consolation is snowmobiling.
Snowmobiling is a lot of fun and it actually brings tourists to various parts of North Dakota several weekends throughout the winter.
That sort of activity needs to continue to be promoted because there are parts of the state that don’t get a lot, if any snow, and for them, the parts of North Dakota that are white, can become quite attractive to someone who doesn’t have snow on the ground at their home, most often in the southwest.
Getting on your snowmobile and riding endlessly turns wherever you are into a winter wonderland. The Turtle Mountains, the Pembina Hills, Fort Ransom, Devils Lake and the Missouri River corridor are all places that make a snowmobile worth having.
But there are drawbacks that need to be discussed because it seems every year someone forgets the most basic rule of riding a snowmobile and that is safety.
Every year we get reports of people driving through communities. Snowmobile traffic at random is not usually something that’s done. A lot of communities have specified routes if people want to ride into town for a meal or a beer. They later take the same route out of town.
When snowmobiles are driving around town, safety becomes paramount because many people aren’t aware of snowmobiles on city streets outside of designated routes. So, motorists in general aren’t watching for snowmobile traffic like they would be watching for general traffic.
It’s important to say this, even though it shouldn’t have to be said more than once, if a car and a snowmobile collide, guess who’s going to win? And, depending on the speed of the sled vs. the car, there could be some serious bodily injuries.
Most sheriff’s departments across the state admit it’s difficult to stop and ticket snowmobilers because they don’t have easily read license plates, they can go places a police car can’t and when wearing a helmet, the driver isn’t recognizable.
But there are other ways to identify violators and sheriff’s departments have the authority to arrest violators in many city limits.
A Cavalier County deputy says he sees snowmobile accidents every year and he’s seen serious violators try to outrun the cops. He’s seen young children try to handle a machine that has more power than most adults need. And, he said he can preach forever and nothing ever changes until somebody gets killed.
He said he hopes it never has to come to that and the entire Cavalier County Sheriff’s Department is urging caution, safety, and abide by the rules and everyone can have a good time on their sleds wherever they may be.
Police and snowmobile clubs have long worked together to make the winter season an enjoyable one all across the state of North Dakota.
Selling snowmobiles is also good business for dealers across the state…. that is when it isn’t too warm for snow to appear. They too will talk about safety. One of the first things discussed before purchasing a new snowmobile is the safety aspect of it.
It should also be pointed out that numerous people from across North Dakota, travel to parts of Montana to spend their “holiday” snowmobiling. There’s usually better snowpack in western Montana or very northern Minnesota, but the same holds true. Those county mounties are going to be stressing the same safety concerns as our own law enforcement in North Dakota.
The worst-case scenario is when people drink too much and get on a snowmobile. It’s gotten much better in recent years because most people recognize the risk before drinking. If not, that’s a giant powder keg waiting to explode.
