Press Releases

March 3, 2008

Snowbobile Safety Stressed at Press Conference; Beefed Up Enforcement Announced

Augusta, Maine – With five snowmobile-related fatal accidents in less than 72 hours, the Commissioners of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Maine Department of Public Safety on Monday strengthened their alliance to promote safety on the state’s snowmobile trails and roadways.

The accidents occurred Friday night, and Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings in New Sweden, Shirley, Brooksville, Bremen and Ashland.

During a Monday morning press conference, IF&W Commissioner Roland “Dan” Martin and Public Safety Commissioner Anne H. Jordan announced that they will be re-directing the enforcement efforts of the Maine Warden Service to greater snowmobile details, and the Maine State Police will be enforcing illegal roadway operations of snowmobiles.

The increased presence on Maine’s trails and roadways by the law enforcement agencies was requested by Gov. John Baldacci.

“Like all of you, Governor Baldacci is concerned with the number of snowmobile-related accidents and fatalities this year,” said Commissioner Martin. “Governor Baldacci has asked that I ‘step up’ snowmobile trail enforcement actions and stress safety on Maine’s trails.”

On Monday, Commissioner Martin announced that he has directed Maine Warden Service Acting Colonel Gregg Sanborn to re-prioritize the wardens’ duties to increase their presence on the trails.

“Our message is short and our message is simple: slow down; ride right and ride safe; don’t drink and drive, wear your helmet; and imprudent speed and reckless operation will not be tolerated,” Commissioner Martin said. “If stepped up enforcement actions saves one life, it will be well worth it.”

Commissioner Jordan emphasized that the laws that apply to motor vehicles also apply to snowmobiles.

“Driving a snowmobile while under the influence, just like driving a car under the influence, is against the law in Maine,” Commissioner Jordan said. “Maine takes this law very seriously and if the Maine State Police is called on for assistance in this area, we will prosecute.”

She said that Maine law also is specific as it pertains to when and how a snowmobile may cross a public road.

“Public roadways are designed for automobiles not snowmobiles,” Commissioner Jordan said. “Snowmobilers need to be very alert to their whereabouts, and remember that they are very hard to see behind tall roadway snow banks and simply are no match for a truck or passenger car traveling down that roadway.” Acting Colonel Sanborn said that snowmobiling is supposed to be a fun activity. But, he added, riders need to be aware of the ever-changing snowmobile trail conditions particularly as spring nears.

Sanborn said the start of Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 9, gives snowmobilers more time to enjoy the snow conditions. But trail conditions can change rapidly, he said. As the snow melts, runoff will pour into lakes and ponds thus melting the ice, and rocks and stumps will become exposed on trails.

“The snowfall this season is giving snowmobilers a wonderful opportunity to experience the Maine outdoors from a sled,” Sanborn said. “But we urge riders to drive at a reasonable speed for the trail conditions so that they have ample time to react to obstacles.”

Commissioner Martin called the deaths of five snowmobilers this weekend – and nine snowmobilers since Jan. 4 – “tragic.”

“On behalf of Governor Baldacci, we would like to express our sympathies to the families and friends of the five victims in this weekend’s tragic snowmobile accidents, as well as to the families and friends of the victims in earlier accidents this season,” Commissioner Martin said. “Five fatalities this weekend is five too many. Nine fatalities this year is nine too many. No one should lose their life enjoying one of Maine’s most popular winter pastimes.”

Commissioner Jordan shared a similar sentiment.

“Each death leaves a grieving family, friends who wonder if they could have done anything to have prevented the accident, and others involved, including our emergency responders, questioning just what went wrong,” Commissioner Jordan said. “The Department of Public Safety would urge all snowmobilers to be alert to their surroundings and the ever-changing conditions out on the trails, lakes and roadways. Let’s keep all Mainers and our visitors safe.”

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Press Releases

Snowbobile Safety Stressed at Press Conference; Beefed Up Enforcement Announced