<p>A couple of weeks ago, a very popular news anchor here in the Chicago area was killed in a snowmobiling crash up in Wisconsin (he left behind a wife and two young children). I think there have been three more snowmobile deaths in the Chicago area since then. Almost every accident I hear about involves alcohol.</p>
<p>I’ve never been on a snowmobile, so I don’t quite understand the thrill. I have been on jet skis several times and love it; however my body is now getting to a point where even doing that causes massive soreness the following few days - I just can’t handle the jarring. At this point, if I had my druthers and my husband or children let me make the choice of either a snowmobile or motorcycle for them, I’d pick a motorcycle. It just seems like the percentages of crashes and deaths is so much higher for snowmobilers.</p>
<p>As with any risky hobby or sport, how do you justify the risks involved with snowmobiling? There almost seems to be a growing epidemic of snowmobiling deaths, beginning a few years ago, at least around here.</p>
<p>That and the fact that aggregate risks only apply to any particular person if they are of average driving abilities, have an average propensity to drive snowmobile dangerously/fast, etc.</p>
<p>Few people will admit that they are doing something risky; most will say that though the overall risk to everyone is high in general, for them, since they are safe, the risks are not high. That may or may not be true, but that’ll be why they figure it’s worth the risk to have the fun.</p>
<p>so you’re saying there are a substantial number of snowmobile drivers who are in denial about their abilities to drive and overestimate their own skills?</p>
<p>That’s true, but it’s also true with almost any other activity (very few will respond that they are “worse than average” when asked about skills in a driving activity, when by definition about half are worse than average). The crux of the answer to your question of why people do it is that they feel the fun outweighs the risks to themelves. That may be because they mis-estimate the risk, or it they may have correctly estimated it and still think that.</p>
<p>Teri- I am with you. The only time I was on a snowmobile, we were in beautiful back country in Utah. I flipped it, and it landed on my leg. My D. who was on the back anticipated the flipping over and jumped off. (Must be the dance classes!) I was lying there terrified that the chains were going to chop my leg off. I guess there are safety devises that prevent that, but I refused to get back on and intended to hike back down the mountain. The guide, who resembeled a hells angel finally convinced me to let my then 15 year old son drive it off the moutain with me riding on the back. I did (holding on with my eyes closed!) , but never intend to get on another one. </p>
<p>A big part I don’t like about it besides being pinned underneath, was the noise. Here we were in some o fht most beautiful country you could experience listening to massive engines and smelling gasoline. To each his own, but no thanks for me! Instead of the crisp snow all we heard were engines. I would snow shoe any day of the week, but no more snowmobiles for me</p>
<p>I have never been on a snowmobile but there are many riders where I live. I think, however, that you noted that the accidents you read about often involved alcohol. That is something I have often read about as a problem with boating as well. So, alcohol doesn’t mix well with these endeavors, just like driving. So, while there are some dangers with a snowmobile, the risk is ratcheted up if someone is impaired. </p>
<p>By the way, I wouldn’t want my family on a motorcycle. I can’t imagine a body faring too well in an accident on the road, particuarly if involving a car. </p>
<p>It’s true that the snowmobiles don’t really mix with the serenity of the outdoors. I guess my family will always stick with skiing…it is very natural…you and the mountain.</p>
<p>The other problem I see is that it seems as if all these deaths occur during early morning hours. I don’t know of any other ‘hobby’ that has so many participants in the middle of the night.</p>
<p>As I was driving home today, I passed a business in the town where this news anchor is from, and their road sign said, “Our prayers are with the Salerno family.” It was also reported on the news today that his blood alcohol level was within legal limits, no more than two drinks. However, from what I remember, his sled had broken down, and he was riding on the back of his friend’s sled, who is now facing vehicular manslaughter charges for an accident that killed his good friend.</p>
<p>I just don’t get the whole ‘going out in the middle of the cold, dark night’ thing. You don’t see speed boats out on the middle of the lakes like this. I also heard that, due to a special news report conducted by one of our local channels after this news anchor was killed, Wisconsin is now considering legislation that would allow any citations given for driving drunk on a snowmobile to be carried over to a person’s driving record. So legally, the same consequences may apply whether you’re driving a snowmobile or car over the legal limit.</p>