For Northern drivers, there's more to road safety than putting your phone down, checking your mirrors and watching your speed.

In the winter months, knowing how to safely navigate an ice road or trail can be just as important as understanding the dos and donSA国际影视传媒檛s of driving on a city street.

So, how do experienced and rookie snowmobilers alike ensure they stay safe the next time theySA国际影视传媒檙e out for a rip?

SA国际影视传媒淭he main message is always just ride within your abilities,SA国际影视传媒� said Shaun Morris, president of the Great Slave Snowmobile Association.

Morris, who leads the non-profit organization which promotes safe and responsible snowmobiling in the capital, said safety starts with proper training.

Riders over the age of 12 can operate a snowmobile in off-road areas of the city if theySA国际影视传媒檝e completed a mandatory City of Yellowknife Snowmobile Safety Course, provided through Arctic Response.

SA国际影视传媒淚f you put your kid through a course and they get a bit of hands-on teaching SA国际影视传媒� it can make a big difference,SA国际影视传媒� said Morris.

Morris encourages an early start to instill the importance of safety from the get-go.

SA国际影视传媒淭he younger the better,SA国际影视传媒� said Morris.

Inspect your machine and ride prepared

Before heading out, always make sure your machine is running smoothly, that you've brought enough fuel and that you have a plan for where youSA国际影视传媒檙e going, said Morris. The association teamed up with the city to compile a snowmobile SA国际影视传媒渟urvival kit,SA国际影视传媒� which recommends bringing the following items:

Survival kit

Paper (fire starter), whistle, multi-tool, lighter, extra gloves, GPS, snacks, matches, water bottle, emergency blanket, flashlight, first aid kit, flare, handsaw, trail marking tape and batteries. For your snowmobile, Morris and the city encourage riders to bring a jerry can, tow rope, a shovel, snare wire and a spare belt.

Snowmobilers, especially those heading out solo, should always let someone know where theySA国际影视传媒檙e going and when they expect to be back. Try to travel in groups when possible, said Morris.

SA国际影视传媒淣ot only is it safer but it also makes it more fun. There are times when people are going to go out by themselves and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 when itSA国际影视传媒檚 very important to let someone know roughly what route youSA国际影视传媒檙e taking,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Doing so will prevent SA国际影视传媒淪earch and Rescue searching the whole Northwest Territories,SA国际影视传媒� in the event a snowmobiler goes missing, said Morris.

Off-road snowmobiling and city road snowmobiling

Whether youSA国际影视传媒檙e on an ice road, trail or Franklin Avenue, a lot of the same safety precautions apply, said Morris.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 about keeping control of your speed and being aware of your surroundings, paying attention SA国际影视传媒� just like driving (a car).SA国际影视传媒� Snowmobilers, according to the city's guidelines, should also SA国际影视传媒渞emember the braking limitationsSA国际影视传媒� of snowmobiles, keep as far to the right as possible when on city streets SA国际影视传媒� and definitely don't drive on sidewalks.

The same safety hazards are present, too.

SA国际影视传媒淲hether youSA国际影视传媒檙e in town or not, ice conditions are very important,SA国际影视传媒� said Morris. SA国际影视传媒淭his time of year most of the ice is going to be safe to drive on but youSA国际影视传媒檙e still going to have places where you may have overflow, causing thin iceSA国际影视传媒� said Morris.

Morris said one of the biggest misconceptions regarding snowmobile safety is that SA国际影视传媒減eople think during this time of year the ice is going to be safe no matter what. Ice is fluid, it changes.SA国际影视传媒�

The unpredictability of some trails also pose safety risks for snowmobilers. Last month, a 46-year-old man was killed after his snowmobile struck a snow-covered rock near Reid Lake.

Morris said those types of accidents can be combated by SA国际影视传媒渟taying on the beaten path, trails that someone has already made.SA国际影视传媒�

But Morris said the leading cause for accidents and injuries is, and long has been, speed.

SA国际影视传媒淭he biggest factor historically has always been speed SA国际影视传媒� travelling too fast and striking an object or losing control of the vehicle,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of people get on a snowmobile and get the need for speed, so watching your speed is very important,SA国际影视传媒� said Morris.

On city roads, riders cannot exceed 45 km/h even in the 70 km/h zones. For off-road riding, snowmobilers travelling in SA国际影视传媒渂uilt up areas of the city,SA国际影视传媒� dubbed Zone SA国际影视传媒淎SA国际影视传媒�, must obey a 30 km/h. In non-built up areas, the speed limit is 70 km/h.

Always wear a helmet

Helmet use is mandatory and it could save your life. According to the city's website, only helmets with the following certification labels are acceptable: CSA D-230, DOT218 or SNELL M90.

Outside of the city, Morris said failing to wear helmets is the most common safety violation he sees.

SA国际影视传媒淩ide with other people as much as you can and if you donSA国际影视传媒檛 know a lot of people, join the Great Slave Snowmobile Association and ride with us. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a great way for people who are new to town or new to snowmobiling to learn trails, and get to go out with other people,SA国际影视传媒� said Morris.

FACT FILE

Yellowknife offers many areas to snowmobile safely in the city, including most streets, highways and roads. But there are off-limits areas, including:

• Playgrounds, school play areas, parks or any area where a sign prohibits snowmobiling in the city.
• Downtown core streets: 48 Street, 54 Street, 49 Avenue, and 51 Avenue.
• The ski club trail system.
• The McMahon Frame Lake Trail system between the Hospital and City Hall and the Museum, or any board walk or stairs on this trail system.
• The Range Lake Trail system between Parker Recreational Field and the Center Ice Plaza.
• The children's sliding area in the open space at 55 Street between 50A Avenue and 51A Avenue.
• The area known as Bristol Pit.

Source: City of Yellowknife. Visit website for full list.