Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Avoid Tragedy in Island Park


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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