Family Snowmachines

Family Snowmachines and safety belong together. Winter sports are popular in Alaska, especially riding snowmachines (also known as snowmobiles). Each year, many people, including children, suffer serious injuries while using a snowmachine. Head injuries are the leading cause of serious injury or death on snowmachines.

Passengers Are At Greater Risk

Unknown to many, head injuries are more common among family snowmachine passengers than drivers. It takes strength and stamina to be a passenger on a snowmachine. Passengers must hold on tightly for long periods of time. They are unable to see snowmachine shifts in advance. This is even more difficult when running over bumpy ground at a high speed.

Accidents occur more often when children double on youth snowmachines. Youth snowmachines are not designed as passenger machines. Passengers also distract drivers. All drivers, young and old, must pay close attention. No matter the ages of our passengers, drivers are responsible for very precious cargo. Even family snowmachines built for passengers increase risk of injuries. Passengers are often higher, making the snowmachine less stable.

Do The Family Snowmachines Fit Your Child?

It is important for young riders to be on the right size snowmachines. Riders who are too large overload the capability of a youth machine. Even more dangerous are riders who are too small for the horsepower and weight of family snowmachines intended for adults. They cannot reach the controls and have difficulty controlling the snowmachine. Their feet dangle above the running boards and foot wells. Without solid footing, children cannot shift body weight while riding. Riders who are too small cannot shift their weight to balance the sled.

Learn more about snowmachine safety for your entire family. Great sites such as: SnowTracks and Snoriders are entirely devoted to helping keep you and your loved ones safer while enjoying the great outdoors. In addition, sites dedicated to child safety and well-being, such as Caring for Kids provide great ideas for added safety while enjoying family snowmachines with your kids.

Family snowmachine safety will help you avoid an accident. Alaskan residents who suffer an injury on a snowmachine may want to investigate how the crash occurred. It’s possible you may have a claim for damages. If you want guidance in this process, schedule a free consultation with Johnson Law.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Please call Johnson Law to discuss your case: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form.

Image Source: Visit Anchorage Alaska