Snowmobile Accidents Can Be Avoided Says Michigan Attorney Terry Cochran
By Terry Cochran
Snowmobile Accidents Can Be Avoided Says Michigan Attorney
Terry Cochran
Article_Body; Thousands of snowmobile riders will hit the 6,200 miles of
groomed, state trails from Dec. 1 through March 31 to enjoy breathtaking
views of Michigan from the seat of a snowmobile. Snowmobiling has a huge
economic impact on the state, annually generating more than a billion
dollars both directly and indirectly from the more than 400,000 registered
snowmobiles in Michigan. Those benefiting include hotels, restaurants,
the tourist industry as a whole, and dealers and manufacturers. The
average snowmobile sold for $7,942 in 2005, while the average snowmobiler
spent over $4,000 on the sport. Those are funds put back into this state's
economy.The Michigan Snowmobile Association (MSA) is encouraging its
20,000-plus members and all other snowmobilers to take the Zero Tolerance
Pledge and promote alcohol-free Snowmobiling under the influence. It is
against the law and carries the same stiff penalties as drinking and
driving in an automobile. During the 2004-05 winter season, the number of
snowmobile-related deaths in Michigan went down, while deaths involving
the use of alcohol also dropped dramatically from the previous year. Our
law firm joins the MSA to advance its cause of alcohol-free Snowmobiling.
We are encouraged that more and more snowmobilers are being responsible
and not mixing alcohol with this great winter sport. And while using our
wonderful state trails, we urge vigilance be given when approaching
pedestrians, cross-country skiers, or groups of snowmobiles to avoid
accidents.A snowmobile can weigh up to 600 pounds and some performance
sleds can travel at speeds in excess of 90 m.p.h. At 90 m.p.h., a
snowmobile moves at 131 feet per second. With a standard reaction time of
1.5 seconds, a snowmobile will travel 195 feet before coming to a
stop.Children are at risk for snowmobile-related injury from being the
operator, bystander, or passenger. Pediatric snowmobile-related injuries
are often a result of risk-taking behavior of the parent (excessive speed,
alcohol use, and nighttime driving). Males younger than 16 years are more
than three times as likely as females of the same age to sustain a
snowmobile-related injury.If an accident does happen, I urge the victim or
witnesses to take note whether they are on a state trail, a public or
private trail, as Michigan's recreation statute provides for governmental
immunity if you are injured on state land while Snowmobiling. While on
trails going through private land, snowmobiles should stay on the trail to
avoid trespassing and to avoid hidden hazards like rocks or stumps under
the snow.I also wants to remind snowmobile owners that if a snowmobile
operator collides with a moving vehicle they are covered by Michigan No
Fault Law. The operator may be eligible for No Fault benefits if they
strike a vehicle parked on the side of the road in "manner that presents
an unreasonable risk of bodily injury." This is important because a
snowmobiler colliding with a car parked on the side of the road because of
a snowstorm often will be entitled to No Fault.

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