The Maine Snowmobile Association Thank you to the Association 
for this great article.
Some Simple Steps to Safe Riding:
RIDE TO THE RIGHT – Only makes sense. Odds are good that an automobile traveling in the left hand lane of the road will sooner or later run into another car head on. Same goes for sleds. It is required by law that a snowmobiler operate to the right of center on the trail when approaching or navigating a curve, corner, grade or hill – why not just stay to the right, even on straight-aways.
RIDE SOBER – Don’t drink and ride. Don’t let anyone in your group drink and ride. Maine and New Hampshire have a tough snowmobile DWI laws. Restaurants, Inns, Lodges and Resorts welcome snowmobilers who want to have a few drinks with their friends. But please do it after you’ve finished sledding, not while riding. Be a good friend and lift the keys of a fellow snowmobiler, who thinks he’s OK when he’s not.
RIDE AT A REASONABLE SPEED- Speed on a Maine and New Hampshire snowmobile trail is measured on a standard of reasonable speed for the existing conditions. If you cannot control your sled safely at the speed that you are traveling in the current conditions – you’re speeding. Slow down. Snowmobile clubs across the state host radar runs, hill climbs and races all season long. If you want to ride hard and fast, do it at one of these events, and take home a trophy to boot!
USE HAND SIGNALS- The consistent use of a simple set of standardized hand signals on the trails keeps movement orderly and predictable. These standardized signals inform other sledders of your actions and allow everyone around you to anticipate the need to slow down. The MSA has distributed thousands of copies of these hand signals over the past five years and reports from the trails are that signal usage is up significantly. This simple skill is one that every snowmobiler can learn and use to increase their safety on the trails.
RIDE DEFENSIVELY- You and your group can do everything right and still encounter a sledder who’s doing everything wrong. Don’t let their poor judgment or illegal behavior injure you. Always expect the unexpected from the sledder coming toward you. If there is a problem, you’ll be prepared to respond and avoid a dangerous situation. …And keep an eye out for 4 legged animals as well. Moose and deer live where you’re sledding. Wildlife always has the right of way. If you come up behind a moose on the trail stay far away and wait for the animal to lumber off. If any large animal shows an interest in the fact that you are on the trail, turn around and leave. Don’t turn off your sled and follow animals on foot to get a better look. You may get a much closer look than you wanted.
These additional steps will protect you even further:
Carry a map and stay on the trails. Shortcuts can not only be hazardous if you don’t know the area, sledders can get “turned around” pretty easily out there. Why bother heading out across unmarked open tracts if you have 13,000 miles of signed trails?
Don’t snowmobile alone. If you run into mechanical trouble, you’ll have someone along who can truck you back home; bury your sled, and there’s extra hands to help dig out; take a wrong turn, and there’s someone else to blame…
Take care crossing public ways – on busier roads, have a member of the group check for traffic and direct sledders across.
Let someone know where you’re planning to go and when you plan to return. An itinerary form left with a friend, the motel staff etc is invaluable if you actually run into trouble on the trail. If your return is delayed, contact the person aware of your trip plans if at all possible, to head off an unnecessary search effort.
Check weather reports before heading out. Ever been on a sled in a white out? Enough said.
Dress appropriately (layers) and wear a helmet. No one should operate a snowmobile without the protection of a helmet. A life saver in the case of an accident, your helmet will also keep you protected from the occasional tree branch “face slapper” and inclement weather.
Carry a basic repair kit. This will save a lot of frustration if you have a spare belt, a couple tools, etc. with you. (An even better idea is to give your sled a good going over before every trip.)
Don’t cross frozen bodies of water unless you are absolutely sure of ice thickness. Trails generally will not lead you across ponds or lakes unless there is no reasonable alternative. Bridges are provided to cross rivers and streams. However, you will find some places where you may cross water, such as marked passage on well frozen lakes – check locally for current ice thicknesses.
Don’t overdrive your lights. Don’t tangle with a wire, stump or rock on a fast machine in the middle of a cold, dark night.
Remembering these safety guidelines will help you to Ride Right in Maine and New Hampshire. Enjoy Snowmobiling the Way It Should Be – Fun and Safe! So be smart — use caution and common sense, and you’ll have a memorable and safe winter adventure on your snow machine.
Maine snowmobile laws can be viewed on line at http://www.mesnow.com/SnowmobileLaws.html Contact IF&W at 207-287-8000.
New Hampshire snowmobile laws can be viewed on line at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/OHRV/snowmobile_safety.html Inland Fisheries Division fisheries@wildlife.nh.gov 603-271-2501 or 603-271-2502
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