Snowmobile races and competitions tend to be popular in places that experience lots of snowfall during winter, and while a snowmobile can be a necessity or a recreation vehicle for adrenaline junkies, it can also lead to catastrophic injuries. Here are six common causes of snowmobile accidents, and how to avoid them.

Six Common Causes Of Snowmobile Accidents

Like most other physical activities, winter sports require training to develop long term abilities and skill. It isn’t something you should jump into without learning the fundamentals. Regardless of whether someone is young or old, attempting to tackle difficult terrain without the requisite experience, may lead to potentially life-threatening injuries. It’s important to take lessons from an instructor first, get a firm grip on the fundamentals and clocking time on the snowmobile before attempting anything risky.

Inadequate Protection

One of the most common causes of accidents is the failure to use the right protective equipment. When using a snowmobile, it isn’t enough to be protected against the cold; you’ll also need extra padding to absorb the impact of a collision, similar to motorcycle drivers. A good helmet is a must, as are goggles and gloves. The right protective gear will help debris from affecting your concentration and injuring you seriously.

Getting High or Drinking

No matter how many times people are warned of the dangers of driving, or operating machinery while high or drunk, there are people who still choose to ignore these warnings. The chances of getting into a serious or fatal accident while using a snowmobile, is significantly higher when you’re under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. This is further exacerbated if you are riding at night. No matter how skilled you are, drugs and alcohol will impair your judgment, reflexes, vision, and overall abilities. You don’t want to get into, or cause, an accident.

Equipment Malfunction

Snowmobile accidents aren’t always the fault of the driver, it sometimes results from equipment malfunction. Don’t rent a snowmobile unless you know it is in good working condition, and if you decide to buy one, have a knowledgeable mechanic perform an inspection beforehand to determine if the machine is facing any issues. The last thing you want to do is spend your hard-earned money on an unreliable snowmobile. Worse if the snowmobile doesn’t perform as it should, leading to an accident that could potentially result in life-threatening injuries.

Acceleration and Speed

There is no doubt about it, the thrill of going fast really gets the senses tingling. You can feel the wind rushing past your face and through your hair, riding on that adrenaline rush caused by acceleration. However, the faster you go, the greater the chances that you’ll lose control and get into a serious accident. While you don’t have to operate your snowmobile at a turtle’s pace, you want to move at a moderate speed, one which allows you ample time to avoid obstacles, bystanders, and any unforeseen obstructions.

Misuse

Snowmobiles come in different forms. While some are used for utility work, others are designed for touring and recreation. Always use your snowmobile in the manner for which it was designed. Attempting to use it for a purpose other than that intended by the manufacturer, can easily lead to an accident.