Last Saturday a snowmobiler crossed Highway 20 in front
of a vehicle and died in the collision just north of Island Park Village.
Norman Zullin of Long Island, New York was following a fellow rider in a dash
across the highway and did not see the northbound vehicle. It was an immediate
and tragic end to a vacation in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The same afternoon as the collision, I was pulling into
Elk Creek when three snowmobilers jetted across the parking lot entrance. The
snow berms concealed them from view. They did not slow as they crossed in front
of my suburban. Had I not caught a glimpse of a helmet and slowed, the results
could have been as tragic as the collision on Highway 20. I recently saw a
snowmobiler park behind a truck at Robin’s Roost. The driver began to back up when
a pedestrian alerted him to the sled’s presence, averting a crisis.
The snow accumulation diminishes the low-slung snow
machines’ visibility to motorists. It also inhibits the snowmobiler’s ability
to get a clear vision of road traffic. It is essential that the snowmobiler’s
approach to a roadway be cautious. It is understandable that after a carefree
and wild snowmobile ride in the back country, the rider forgets that traffic exists
when coming down off the mountains. Drive defensively. Snowmobilers that are
accustomed to looking for boulders, stumps and other hazards in the back
country may be less attentive in the populated areas of Island Park.
It is incumbent upon snowmobile operators to avoid
collisions with cars and trucks. The sled will be on the short end of any
encounter. Please be cautious while enjoying Island Park. The residents want
you to have a memorable visit and return home safely to tell others of your
adventure.
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