Speed and alcohol are blamed in a recent rash of fatal snowmobile accidents. Department of Natural Resources Chief Warden Randy Stark says those were the common elements in the recent deaths of five snowmobilers in four days . When the night time speed limit of 55 miles an hour is exceeded, Stark says riders overrun their headlights, and that's when collisions occur. And no, helmets don't make snowmobilers invincible — all the riders were wearing theirs.
Stark notes the DNR made more than 40 arrests of snowmobilers exceeding speed limits, operating while intoxicated or other traffic violations last weekend in Sauk and Columbia counties . Six of those arrested had blood alcohol concentrations double the state's legal limit. Stark says they consider enforcement efforts a success when riders like that are taken off the trails.