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Department of Natural Resources
Tavern League of Wisconsin

Assoc. of Wis. Snowmobile Clubs
c/oMorris Nelson, Legislation Chairman
5497 Waterford La. Suite B
Appleton, WI 54913
(920) 734-5530
Fax: (920) 734-5528
E-mail: awsc@awsc.org
Undercover Report Finds Disturbing Pattern of Drinking and Snowmobiling Save Email Print
Posted: 7:02 PM Feb 5, 2008
Last Updated: 7:15 PM Feb 5, 2008
Reporter: Dave Savini


A | A | A

WBBM TV investigative reporter Dave Savini and his crew last weekend snowmobiled along some of northern Wisconsin's busiest trails.

Using a hidden camera, they talked with patrons and bartenders who don't seem to take drunken snowmobiling too seriously.

Their research found that in a little more than 2 years, 77 people have died in Wisconsin snowmobile accidents. 45 of them involved alcohol.

Authorities also told them some taverns even use police scanners to warn patrons when they're special unit is in the area.

Attempts at changing the law to suspend or revoke the motor vehicle licenses of drunken snow mobile operators have been unsuccessful.

Critics argue the Tavern League, a lobbying organization for the bar industry which rakes in millions from snowmobilers is holding the much needed change up.

Michigan and Minnesota enacted a law tying alcohol related snowmobiling infractions to their drivers licenses and the snowmobile deaths have gone down, leaving Wisconsin with the title of the most deadly.

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