2 Investigators

Viewer Comments On Snowmobiling Safety Part 2

The death of CBS 2's Randy Salerno in a snowmobiling accident has sparked a debate about the risks involved in the sport. We asked you for your comments on the sport of snowmobiling, the risks involved and whether more should be done to prevent tragic accidents. Here is what you said:

I just watched you report on snowmobiling and drinking. I just wanted to let you know that we do not drink any alochol while we ride. This behavior scrares me, and I'm scared to take my family out snowmobiling during the weekend. I live in MN and we travel to MI to ride when there's no snow here, but we go during the week, and ride during the day. It's too bad some people give the sport a bad name. Keep up the good work. Just don't do the sport any harm because of a select few. Thank you.
Scott Jaszcak.

Finally someone has spoken the truth about snowmobiling in WI., thank you. This is not a new problem and it is getting worse every year with the number of deaths that have been occurring. The Tavern League, local governments and state officials all have been looking the other way due to the amount of money that this "sport" brings in to the state and towns. Hopefully someone with a sense of what is right, will step in and do the right thing by making some changes.
--Anonymous

It isn't the sport of Snowmobiling or the equipment used, it's the people! When are people and news media going to put the blame where it belongs! It's the same with driving a car, a motorcycle, an ATV, a boat and even shooting and hunting. It's not the equipment; it's the nut behind it! Hold them accountable for their actions and move on!
--Douglas Bergs

I am sure this will never make it in your news cast but here goes. First of all this was a tragedy that happen to this man but it would have never made the news if it wasn't a celebrity type person. I notice in your news page there were three other snowmobile accidents in Illinois which you put at the bottom of your news page. People come to the northwoods to snowmobile and not everyone has the attitude to drink and drive. When you snowmobile up here there are lots of taverns and restaurants to take a pit stop to warm up and have some hot chocolate or something to eat. There are very few taverns in the northwoods that don't serve food. Your newscast choose to make it out like the only thing people do up here is drink and drive. Why is it that it should be the bars fault if someone has too much to drink and decides to get on that snowmobile and drive like a maniac. … Why is it the media has it out for us in Wisconsin? If you look at the amount of snowmobilers from Illinois and Wisconsin that come to the Northwoods during this short season of snowmobiling the percentage of accidents is probably actually low.
--Sue Slominski Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin

I don't think that snowmobiling is an unsafe sport. Too many times there is alcohol involved, and this is what is unsafe about snowmobiling. The only ones who can change that are the drivers (who need to be the "designated driver") or the riders (who need to get off the snowmobile if their driver is intoxicated). How you would regulate that - I don't know.
--Anonymous

I watch channel 2 news and will miss anchor Salerno, but the majority of snowmobilers are not raging drunks with a death wish. Accidents happen and are unfortunate, but the death rate has gone down or remained consistent over the years. According to Wisconsin DNR there are 232,320 registered snowmobiles in Wisconsin and 54,128 in Illinois, who primarily ride in Wisconsin, annually with 36 deaths 2006-2007 season. That equates to 0.013%. Lets compare this to cars now. In Illinois there were 5,632,578 cars registered and 2,545,594 in Wisconsin in 2005 (sorry most recent to easily find). There were 473 fatalities in Illinois and 798 in Wisconsin. That equates to 0.016%. Most accidents involve a single sled hitting a tree with excessive speed and/or alcohol the major factors. Most people who end up getting killed have only themselves to blame. Once again my condolences to the friends and family of Randy Salerno.
--S.W.

When I heard the news of Randy Salerno's death, I was in the process of packing myself and my husband for our annual snowmobile trip. For the past 20+ years my friends and family have been taking a trip to Eagle River, Wisconsin and the surrounding areas.
Fortunately for us we have never experienced any injuries to ourselves or major damage to any of the snowmobiles. When we rent our sleds we are always given a waiver form to fill out explaining the rules of operating the sled. When we rent our sleds we are always given a thorough investigation of our sled, we check that all lights are working properly and also we are shown the operational buttons and what each one is used for.
When we are out riding the trails we do stop in at the local bar/restaurants. Whether you choose to drink alcohol in the establishment is your choice. If a patron of the bar/restaurant appears to be drunk or has been in the establishment a long time, continuously drinking, I believe the bartender/waitress does need to cut them off.
Riding your snowmobile at any time of the day you need to be alert and careful. If you are going to fast whether it is on the trail or on an open lake, accidents can happen at anytime. Driving at night especially increases the dangers of being on the sleds.
If snowmobile riders would slow down and take it easy at their rest stops, and the local bar owners would pay more attention to a patron who is clearly drinking too much, there probably wouldn't be so many accidents.
We are back home, safe and sound. I thought about Randy when we were up there, I didn't know him personally but felt a connection to him. This was a tragic accident, not one person is to blame. Maybe in his death we will all learn something.
--Anonymous

I would never drink any alcohol before heading back onto the trails. It is a dangerous enough sport w/o being intoxicated.
Another thing that could have helped is a Tekvest. Its a vest worn to help your chances of survival in case of impact.
Hopefully this info helped your broadcasts
--Phil Walus

Snowmobling is as safe as the person operating the vehicle. If the person isn't impared, the vehicle is in good condition, and the person knows the territory they're driving in, its perfectly safe. I have enjoyed snowmobiling when I lived in Cystal Lake, years ago. As in any aspect of life, accidents happen, although many are preventable.
--Anonymous

When I was growing up in the 70's, my brother and his friends went up to Wisconsin almost every winter snowmobiling. They made it a week long trip which I know included a lot of alcohol. We lived in central Illinois and they rode as much as possible, so they were fairly seasoned riders. In my opinion, a lot depends on how much knowledge riders have of snowmobiles and what way to lean, etc. in riding. Experience is a hugh factor.
--Kathy Gerdovich

This was a tragic accident
My condolences to Randy's family
There should be regulations and laws for snowmobiles the same as motorcycles
All should be licensed and warned about drinking and driving, so these accidents can be eliminated..
For what it is worth, if Randy Salerno and his friend were both drinking alcohol, I don't feel his friend should be procecuted for Randy's death
They were both at fault
--Anonymous

These people who talk up the safety of snowmobiling should be more restrained. Compared to cars & trucks, snowmobiles are somewhat similar to motorcycles & bicycles in that they have no seat belts, no passenger compartment, and no roll cage. I think their center of gravity is also higher than in cars.
I suppose snowmobiling is safe enough on groomed, patrolled trails and if you're obeying all the laws and safety rules. Where push comes to shove is if you're out of that zone. There's less margin for error. They're less forgiving.
If you want to commune with nature in the snowy winter, you can do it more safely on cross-country skis or snowshoes. The fun of snowmobiling is in the speed. In the Arctic, it's mostly transportation, without the intelligence of sled dogs. Snowmobiles are also important for emergency uses, in which one is often off the groomed trails. It's also been found that the snow compaction of trail grooming (for snowmobiles or skis) harms the ecosystem of the snow that many small creatures use. Snowmobiling off trails for whatever reason also doesn't do those little animals any good. And we haven't even gotten into the noise and exhaust fumes.
--Anonymous

I am a Illinois/Wisconsin Snowmobiler, own a vacation home in the area of your report. I am very familiar with the sport and area of investigation.

Snowmobiling is a fantastic family sport. You should be spending the time to educate the public on safety – did you know that there are Snowmobile Safety classes available in both states for anyone that wishes to attend? The combination of inexperience, alcohol and speed are deadly on any type of recreational vehicle; boat, ATV or snowmobile - You failed to mention that there is a speed limit at night along the fact that there are over 200,000 snowmobiles registered in the state and as with any motorized vehicle there is abuse and neglect to the law. With all due respect, the loss of anyone in any type of accident is horrible – but bottom line is that the group abused the sport, over consumed alcohol and used excessive speed – all deadly factors on any type of motorized vehicle. Trails are windy and hilly through the woods, that's the beauty of it – take the time to enjoy the view – hmm "Boys weekend – first day out - seems like they were very excited and over did it a bit. Oh, and that "MAP" they gave you that was noted and marked with all the "BARS" – well they are restaurants too! – They offer you a place to stop when you need to warm up – with specialties like home-made soups and chili – hot chocolate with real whip cream in a mug big enough to put you hands around to warm them up – just like your mom always made – no fast food chains in the area – just old fashioned specialties.

I will mention that the best thing for this sport would be to stop allowing the rental of the snowmobiles or require individuals to take a safety test to make them aware of the laws. I'm sure if you dig down deep in the past 5 years with accidents and deaths – there is a rental piece of equipment involved in the majority. I do know that the majority of the accidents involved – Males, Speed, Alcohol and late at night. Just like the recent accidents.

I am disappointed that you didn't investigate the business that rented the sleds, did they take the time to educated you on how to ride along with proper hand signals along with the laws and speed limits? Did they educate you on the proper way to dress for the sport – because what you were wearing while you were reporting standing next to that sled wasn't the smartest choice.
The biggest danger to this sport is the rental of equipment to people that are inexperienced and causing a danger to me and my family. Safety needs to start at the rental shop – just because they took a driver's test to drive a car doesn't give them the experience to navigate one of these machines. You are riding on snow and ice and driving on the Eisenhower in a Chicago snowstorm doesn't come close to handling a sled.
--Anonymous

Moderation is the key -
Snowmobiling has its share of abusers that give a bad name to the rest of us. There are foks at other activities that over indulge as well:
• Cubs and Sox games plus stopping at the neighborhood bars before and after
• the chain of lakes has their summer boating poker runs from waterfront bar to bar
• folks at the Taste of Chicago all day and night and then driving home
• spending the day at Nascar events
• tailgating and then three hours at Soldiar Field for Bears games
• etc.
--Anonymous

I LIVE IN LAKE VILLA AND THERE WAS A SNOWMOBILER THAT HAD GOTTEN HIT CLOSE TO MY SUBDIVISION. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE BETTER CONTROL OF WHERE THEY LET THEM DRIVE THERE SNOW-MOBILES. I KNOW IT'S FUN, BUT IT'S VERY DANGEROUS.
--Anonymous

Read Dave Savini's bias take on snowmobiling while it is understandable he and the others at your station lost a friend and colleague, it is unfair to demonize the sport. NOTHING GOOD has ever happened while mixing alcohol, inexperience and motorized vehicle be it a snowmobile, boat, motorcycle or car.
--Anonymous

Yes, snomobiling is inherently dangerous. So is waking up and driving your automobile to work everyday. It was mentioned that in the past two years 45 out of 77 snomobiling death were linked to alcohol. That is a crazy high percentage and hopefully your report will help make a difference in at least getting the message out that snomobiling and excessive alcohol do not mix. But to put this into perspective, I'd like to point out that the U.S Department of Transportation reports that approximately 40% of all automobile traffic deaths are linked to alcohol. Given that a much larger percentage of our society is at risk of being in a automobile accident due to alcohol rather than a snomobile accident due to alcohol, please continue in educating the population that alcohol and the operation of ANY vehicle do not mix.
Regards,
P.J. Crossin

I am very saddened by the death of Randy Salerno or anytime one of our fellow snowmobilers dies..I am an avid snowmobiler and visit the area 5 to 6 times a year. We should all know the dangers of Alcohol when operating and type of motorized vehicle. I was angered to see one gentlemen make the statement he did about the number of times he has operated a sled while under the influence. It guys like him that are a cancer to our sport. People have to realize that snowmobiling like any type of sport has
risks. Your reporters seemed a bit bias to me.Were they experienced riders? Had they taken a safety course before renting their snowmobiles? The statement about the trail map marking every bar,pub,and saloon along the way was also misleading to the general public. Many establishments serve food and some even sell fuel.Their advertising pays for the printing of these maps and help support the many groups that groom and maintain the trail system. These maps are also a very important tool for helping us navigate the hundreds of miles of trails in Northern Wisconsin and for new comers visiting for the 1st time. I just don't want all of us to be stereotyped as a bunch of drunks. I love my sport and hope that we can all learn from this tragedy. Our prayers are with Randy's family and his friends.
Sincerely
John Panico

Is snowmobiling safe? As with any motor sport (snowmobiling, boating, ATVing) the sport is only as safe as the individual riders make it! As a family of ATVers it is unfortunate that a tragedy such
as this happens within any motor sport. But where do we place the
blame? Is it on the Wisconsin DNR, the sport of snowmobiling, their manufacturers, bar owners, or the riders themselves? In my opinion the responsibility falls upon us as individuals. I am sure that none of the bars that they patronized forced alcohol on the riders.
Secondly, I guess you can see blame on the taverns for over serving.
But I guess the questions should be asked, "Are the bartenders
trained to detect the symptoms of impairment?" In Illinois
bartenders must be certified in either TIPS or BASSET. I don't know if this is the case in Wisconsin. In any case it is the individual that picks up that drink, put it to his lips and tilts it back! The unfortunate part about a publicized event such as this is it gives all of us who participate a bad name. If one of us does it then all must be guilty.
For many of us that partake in motor sports I fell that this is going to make it very difficult for us from Illinois to enjoy such recreation in Wisconsin. It is bad enough the highway patrol "look"
for Illinois plates. Now because of the "negative publicity" we are giving Wisconsin it will only make us more of a target.
--Anonymous

There is no doubt that the loss of Randy is a tragedy. This is a loss that affects many, it's too bad it take losing somebody within the media to recognize a problem. This has been a problem ever since I began snowmobiling for over 20 years and have seen the problem enhanced by the technology and power of new snowmobiles. People have been dealing have been deaths and serious injuries all the time; now that it hits close to the media, the power of the media now kicks in to address the problem...this is part of the grieving and healing process that most families can't use. MADD started with the death of somebody close that began the drive. Over the past 10 years I have slowly gotten out; seeing a problem and having kids has slowly driven me out, I still own snowmobiles but I just don't ride very often.
Illinois trails follow the same idea, just a different location with a lack of snow; look at the deaths in Lake and McHenry counties that involve water...these barely get heard though the media. In Wisconsin; snowmobiling is a big business, trails are sponsored by bars and restaurants among other businesses. This is a recreation that allows the business community to thrive in the midst of long winters coupled with the off fishing season; these being the drive behind the of a lack of action to address the problem. What is the amount of tax $ brought in to Wisconsin by Illinois residents that would not be there is not for snowmobiles? It should also be noted that there has been a change over the years in the raise of non-alcohol drinks while riding. On my few recent trips, ride during the day and drink close to what ever is home at night to avoid the problem. I avoid week-ends because of the a male population that race up for a week-end to get the max amount of snow miles along with the party atmosphere with "guys week-end away". By the sounds of it, this is what got Randy. Many get away with close calls, Randy didn't.
Sorry for the loss of Randy, we will all miss him.
--Anonymous

Hello,
Working for a life insurance company I strongly agree that your MVR record should not just be for cars, but for any and all powered vehicles that have to be "driven" in public places and that if you drink and drive, you should pay the consequences. Driving is a privilege just like anything else and if you disobey the law, you should pay the penalty.
It was not Randy's time to go and alcohol tributed to his death and he was taken from us due to someone else's actions.
Thank you for allowing me to vent.
Marianne

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