February 17-19, 2006 was a deadly weekend for Wisconsin snowmobiles. Five fatal accidents occurred, one involving an eight snowmobile pile-up. In one of the accidents, 11 snowmobiles were traveling on a roadway at about 70-80 mph. Because he was going so fast, the lead snowmobiler failed to make a curve, crashed into a snow bank, went airborne, and died when he hit the ground. Seven snowmobilers who were following the victim also could not negotiate the turn and launched off the bank into a pile. Three others in the group also suffered injuries.
During the 2005-2006 snowmobile season, there were 36 fatalities in Wisconsin compared to 37 the previous winter, the third-highest number of snowmobile deaths. The record is 39 fatalities during the 1999-2000 season. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports the leading contributor in 28 of the 36 fatalities last winter (78%) was speed. Speed is also defined as traveling too fast for conditions or beyond the operator’s experience. Of the 28 speed related fatal accidents, 20 of the victims had consumed alcohol. Most of the fatal crashes occurred between 10:00 PM and 12:00PM, 24 (67%) taking place after sunset.
The fatal accidents are especially unfortunate because the DNR claims many were preventable if only the operators had slowed down. Because snowmobilers riding at speeds faster than 50-55 mph during dark evening hours over-ride their headlights, if they see a tree, fence, or sharp turn, they are unable to react in time to avoid a collision.
After a snowmobile death toll of 37 in the winter of 2004-05, the DNR created a special Accident Reduction and Alcohol Enforcement team that sent wardens to scout certain areas on weekends. While the team was effective in stressing and promoting snowmobile safety and enforcing regulations, last winter’s total of 36 fatalities proved it wasn’t enough. The five fatal accidents during the February 17-19, 2006 weekend prompted the Legislature to take further action.
In the last legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill that was signed by the Governor establishing a 55 mph speed limit for snowmobilers during the hours of darkness. I voted for the new law that is now in effect. It applies to all areas statewide one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and any other time that there is insufficient natural light to clearly see a person or vehicle 500 feet away.
Prior to this law, Wisconsin law placed no speed limits on snowmobilers unless they were driving alongside a roadway. If a snowmobiler was spotted speeding, weaving, swerving or operating erratically, DNR wardens did not have probable cause to pull then operator over. Now, wardens have a reason to stop speeding snowmobilers and test them to see if they are intoxicated.
The DNR recommends snowmobilers ride at reasonable speeds, keep their alcohol consumption to a minimum, and to be even safer, to refrain from drinking alcohol while driving. Snowmobile clubs urge operators to stay on marked trails, ride within their abilities and headlights, stay on their side of the trail, and slow down when approaching oncoming traffic.
Another new law passed in the last legislative session sets a noise limit of 88 decibels for all snowmobiles manufactured after July 1, 1975. The public has complained about excessive noise from snowmobiles, leading to the closing of some trails near private property.
How dangerous is 88 decibels (dB)? The website
Dangerous Decibels says if a sound reaches 85 dB or stronger, it can cause permanent damage to your hearing. The Hyperacusis Network reports you know that you are listening to an 85 dB sound if you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone else. Some common sounds and their corresponding decibel ratings include normal conversation (60 dB), busy traffic (70 dB), a lawnmower (90 dB), a diesel truck (100 dB), a car horn (110 dB), a rock concert or jet engine (120 dB).
The snowmobile noise limit law also prohibits any person from modifying a snowmobile in a manner that increases the noise level above that emitted by the snowmobile as originally manufactured. Both new snowmobile laws are necessary to reduce accidents and fatalities, and to make snowmobiling more enjoyable for everyone.
