You should always choose to NOT consume alcohol or use drugs while operating a snowmobile. Many of the snowmobile accidents that occur happen because of alcohol consumption. Alcohol and drugs negatively affect the body by affecting the driver’s vision, equilibrium or balance and coordination, and reaction time. For the sake of your life and the lives of others, do not consume alcohol or drugs while operating a snowmobile. Never let anyone drive any vehicle after they have been drinking alcohol. Make responsible choices by giving friends a ride home if they have been drinking. Visit the Violations in the Laws page for more information on operating while intoxicated (OWI/DUI).

Alcohol Affects the Driver’s Vision
Those who drive while intoxicated tend to focus only on what is in front of them, similar to “tunnel vision.” The driver fails to pay attention to anything else around them or behind them, and only looks a few feet in front of the snowmobile.

Alcohol Affects your Equilibrium or Balance and Coordination
Alcohol strongly affects the sense of balance and coordination. This decreases your ability to drive your snowmobile in a safe manner. You can become a hazard to yourself and to others on the trail.

Reaction Time
Reaction time is the time a driver needs to react after a danger is recognized. There may only be a few seconds for you to react. Situations when you may need to react quickly while snowmobiling can include slowing down behind another snowmobile, when approaching a road crossing, when making a turn or negotiating a curve in the trail, or swerving to avoid an on-coming snowmobile, a fallen tree or depression in the snow. Alcohol always slows your reaction time. Operating a snowmobile while intoxicated can lead to injuries that can be severe or even deadly.

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