Ride Safe In Any Weather

Zach Wood

Zach Wood is a public information officer with the DNR's Office of Communications.

From the thousands of lakes and rivers to the seemingly endless miles of ATV/UTV and snowmobile trails, recreational vehicle fun is available year-round in Wisconsin. No matter the season, the conditions or your ride of choice, safety should always be your top priority.

The abundance of trails we enjoy here in Wisconsin is attributed to the enormous support of area ATV/UTV and snowmobile organizations whose members volunteer hundreds of hours to maintain these routes. Some trails include private property with specifically marked trails; please honor these as created.

DNR conservation wardens work in concert with area patrols, county sheriff offices and local groups to ensure the safety of all enjoying the trails. Remember you are not alone on the trails — you might see other off-highway vehicles, along with hikers, wildlife observers and maybe a skier or two.

Follow these simple safety tips to help ensure your next adventure is a safe one.

ATVS And UTVS

One of the best things ATV and UTV operators can do to operate safely is to take an online safety course. A list of approved classes is available on the DNR’s Safety Education webpage. Additional things to keep in mind:

• Wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet! It could save your life.

• Check the ATV/UTV before and after riding. Check the tire pressure, fuel level, engine oil level and drive belt. Also check for leaks, grass and debris in the engine compartment, muffler area and front grille.

• ATVs are designed for off-road use. Operate an ATV on designated trails, which may include public roads.

• Take extra caution when operating on paved surfaces like road routes. The handling characteristics of UTVs and ATVs change significantly on pavement. Be extra careful, especially when slowing down and approaching turns.

• Do not exceed the manufacturer’s passenger or weight limits for your vehicle. Overloading an ATV/ UTV can impact the vehicle’s stability and maneuverability, increasing the chances of an accident.

• Remember that Wisconsin law requires every operator involved in an ATV/UTV crash to report the incident without delay to law enforcement officials. This Includes submitting a written report of the incident to the DNR within 10 days of the incident.

Snowmobiles

As with ATV/UTV use, taking a safety training course is an excellent first step. Classes on basic snowmobile operation, laws, regulations and safety can help save lives and reduce injuries. Learn more at the safety education webpage, and also check the DNR’s snowmobiling webpage.

Other safety tips:

• Stay on the trail or stay home. Keep to marked snowmobile trails unless otherwise designated.

• Never ride alone. Always ride with another snowmobile. If one machine is disabled, you have another to get help.

• Dress for safety and survival. Always wear a DOT-approved helmet and facemask. Wear layers of clothing to keep warm and dry.

• Slow down. Excessive speed is a factor in many accidents, especially at night. To help avoid accidents, keep your nighttime speed under 40 mph.

• Stay to the right. Almost every trail is a two-way trail, so stay to the far right, especially on hills and corners. Obey all trail signs and cross roadways with extreme caution.

• Be extra careful when riding on ice-covered lakes and rivers. Avoid riding on lakes and rivers when possible and wear a life jacket over your outer clothing if you must ride on ice. Stay off ice with moving water near or under it — no ice is 100% safe, but ice in these areas may be thin and weak.

On Ice

Think safety when enjoying ice fishing and other activities on the ice. Check the DNR’s Ice Safety webpage to learn more.

Ice safety reminders:

• Remember that ice is never completely safe under any conditions.

• Before you head out, contact local sport shops to ask about conditions locally on the lake or river you want to cross. The Wisconsin DNR does not monitor ice conditions around the state.

• Wear proper clothing and pack your safety gear. Some basics include:

• A life jacket or float coat should you fall through the ice and to help retain body heat.

• Creepers to give you extra traction when walking across the slick ice.

• A spud bar to check the ice while walking to new areas.

• A few spikes and a length of light rope to help pull yourself or others out of the water if needed.

• Study the lake or river before you walk onto it. Know if the lake has inlets, outlets or narrows with currents, as these features can create thin ice, sometimes even just a few feet away from safe ice.

• Watch for pressure ridges or ice buckling; these can be dangerous due to thin ice and open water.

• If you fall in, remain as calm as possible. While attempting to get out of the water, call for help. Anyone who attempts to rescue you should use a rope or something similar to avoid falling through the ice themselves.

For All Activities

There are a few basic, common-sense practices that should be followed for safety, no matter where or how you’re adventuring in Wisconsin’s outdoors.

• Avoid alcohol and other drugs when recreating. Alcohol blurs a person’s judgment, reaction time and abilities, making whatever you’re doing more dangerous.

• Keep tabs on the weather. Conditions can change on a dime, turning a lovely outing into a dangerous situation. Nobody can truly predict the weather, but checking the forecast for the duration of your outdoor adventure can still give you a good idea of what to expect.

• Before you leave, let someone who isn’t coming along know where you’re headed and when you’ll be back.

• Don’t travel in unfamiliar areas, especially after dark.

• Finally, know the rules and regulations for your chosen activity and follow them. Those rules are put in place for a reason — to keep people safe.