Alcohol is main factor in Wisconsin`s rise in snowmobile fatalities

March 25--With less than a week left in the snowmobile season, fatal snowmobile crashes in Wisconsin are up from last season, with alcohol and speed suspected as combined factors in 65% of fatal crashes.

Twenty-three people died in snowmobile crashes in the 2013-'14 season, compared with 20 fatalities recorded last season, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

This season, nine fatal crash victims had blood-alcohol levels ranging from 0.13 to 0.27 -- all more than 0.08, the level that is considered evidence of intoxication in the state. Alcohol is listed as a possible factor in six additional fatal crashes.

Last season, unstable ice conditions from a series of freezing and thawing events early in winter took a deadly toll on the trails and were believed to have contributed to five drownings.

The brutal cold this season meant ice was not as much of a problem as last season, Warden Gary Eddy, snowmobile safety administrator for the DNR, said Monday.

"As far as the conditions, they were pretty ideal," Eddy said. "There was good snow. It was nice and cold, and it firmed up the trails nicely."

The number of registered snowmobiles statewide ranges from 190,000 to 235,000, Eddy said, and he estimated the number this year was on the higher end of the range, due to good conditions.

The DNR is required to investigate all fatal snowmobile crashes, and riders are required to report any accidents that result in injuries that need medical attention. State officials acknowledge that self-reporting likely leads to an underestimate of the total number of injury crashes, which in 2012-'13 reached 142 incidents statewide.

Lowering fatalities

One of the most popular destinations for snowmobiling is Vilas County, where more than 600 miles of groomed trails crisscross the area -- and where fatalities have fallen steadily.

The county used to consistently rank among the top in the state for fatal snowmobile accidents. In 2009 the county created a safety committee to tackle the problem after several high-profile crashes, including one that killed a Chicago television news anchor, said Dale Mayo, the county's snowmobile program coordinator.

Those crashes "gave Vilas County a reputation of being an area that condoned drinking and riding, and we certainly don't do that," Mayo said.

The county committee launched a widespread campaign for zero tolerance of alcohol while riding, mirroring state efforts, and teamed up with local television and radio stations to air the public-service messages. The committee also placed "zero tolerance" posters from the DNR in local establishments and on trail maps.

A new sign system was installed and gave every trail intersection a three-digit marker posted on a sign.

"At any given time, probably 75-80% of riders are not from Vilas and are not that familiar with the trails," Mayo said. "What we were finding is that when people did crash, they had no idea where they were at."

Spotty cellphone service meant that even enhanced 911 could not determine a precise location for an injured rider. Now riders can provide the three-digit marker to emergency dispatchers who have access to the corresponding trail locations.

The education and signs have made a "huge difference" and the signs have been so successful that similar markers are being considered for bicycle trails, he said.

Since the changes were made, Vilas County had at most two fatalities per season. In 2011-'12 and so far this season, the county has not seen any snowmobile rider deaths.

Alcohol a factor

Although public campaigns urging riders not to drink and ride have been around for years, the percentage of snowmobile fatal crashes related to alcohol continues to be stuck in the 60% to 70% range.

"When (riders) are in that recreation and vacation mode, we know a lot of times they incorporate alcohol with that," Eddy said. "We're trying to push this zero alcohol message and saying wait to drink alcohol until the snowmobiling is done and you're back to the cabin or hotel."

But there's only so much education can do, said Doug Johnson, president of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs.

"The percentage of alcohol fatalities has remained fairly constant over the years, and I think that's more a societal thing than educational," Johnson said. " We run into similar statistics not only in the ATV arena and recreational boating arena, but also in automobiles."

State agencies and local clubs promote responsible snowmobiling, he said, adding: "I think we've got the right types of programs out there."

Although the number of fatal crashes was up 15% this season at 23 compared with last season, the number is still on track with historical trends. The average number of fatalities in the five years before the low of 10 in 2011-'12 was 22.4.

"It's disappointing to see that we're on the upward trend," Eddy said. "The messages are the same and have been the same for many, many years. We're just not getting feedback that (the messages) are really getting grasped."

Twitter: twitter.com/aluthern

On the Web

The snowmobile season ends March 31. For current trail conditions, go to https://www.travelwisconsin.com/snowreport.

Copyright 2014 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel