There are between 300 and 400 snowmobile accidents in New York State each year, with about 25 fatal ones. Two more snowmobile accidents were reported in recent days. I previously blogged about safety rules for snowmobiling. These recent snowmobile crashes remind us of the do’s and don’ts of snowmobiling:
Snowmobile Accident #1: The Syracuse Post Standard reports that a Lyncourt man died from a snowmobile accident in Lewis County last Saturday night. The snowmobiler was traveling on Smith Road in the town of West Turin around 8 p.m. when he apparently LOST CONTROL of his sled on a curve, and STRUCK SOME TREES. He was pronounced dead upon his arrival to Lewis County General Hospital.
Snowmobile Accident #2: The Saratogan reports a snowmobile accident near Edinburg on Great Sacandaga Lake this past weekend. An East Greenbush resident allegedly CLIPPED THE REAR OF ANOTHER SNOWMOBILE, causing him to fall off the sled and strike his head on the ice. He was airlifted to Albany for treatment and was listed in stable condition. Fortunately, he was WEARING A HELMET.
So what safety rules do these accidents remind us of?
Safety Reminder from Accident #1: SLOW DOWN, especially at night.
Safety Reminder from accident #2: DON’T FOLLOW TOO CLOSELY to the snowmobile in front of you. And WEAR A HELMET (this may have saved the man’s life here).
Snowmobiling can be safe if you make it safe. Thanks for driving safely.