Montana Snowmobile Safety Course

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Operating a snowmobile while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs is against the law. In some states a drinking and snowmobiling offense can also affect your automobile driver’s license.

A person’s level of impairment is measured by the amount of alcohol found in their blood, otherwise referred to as blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Determining your own BAC is extremely difficult as there are many factors which affect your level of impairment. The four main factors impacting the level of impairment are the rate of alcohol consumption, gender, body weight and the amount of food eaten.

Alcohol has the ability to greatly impair your judgment, balance, vision and coordination. These factors coupled with environmental elements (sun, glare, wind) can have very serious consequences. Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety of others. When judgement is impaired a rider may operate faster and more recklessly than they normally would. It may cause the rider to overestimate their skills. When combined with impaired balance and vision this lack of judgement can be extremely hazardous.

Please be responsible when operating your snowmobile. If you are operating, you should NOT consume alcohol or drugs. This also includes prescription drugs which might affect your level of alertness or cause drowsiness. If you are taking prescription drugs be sure to know ALL of the side effects before you operate.

IMPORTANT! If you plan on riding, do NOT drink.