I feel that snowmobiles should be treat just like motorcycles. You should be required to get a licenses to operate one. There should be speed limits to obey, there should be check points or officers patrolling the trails, and there should be hevey penatlies for OWI. It really is no different then Riding a motorcycle other then its not on the roads, but it is just as deadly.

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The undercover reporters have said much about our "drinking and snowmobiling culture" in the northwoods but I submit that that is the reason Randy and his party came up here. They didn't go to our shops, didn't drink coffee, soda etc. they came here to get wasted and let it all hang out. As a news anchor can you imagine how many stories he had done about drinking and driving tragedies? How many accident scenes he had been at? C'mon stop the blame game. One more thought has anyone from that party said thanks to our rescue personnel who work so hard for very little?

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Sue, As these snowmobile drivers ride the trails they are crossing roads and traveling over highways. They are a risk to other snowmobile drivers as well as you and I on the road should they happen to miss a stop sign at an intersection with road. Drunk driving is drunk driving regardless of the type of vehicle you try to operate. Slower reflexes and a lack of judgement do not benefit any driver. The person intoxicated and driving or the one they may meet during their travels. I strongly support tougher penalties for those convicted.

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I am and Emergency Dept. nurse with over 20 years experience and I can tell you first hand how devastating a snowmobile accident can be. I worked in Northern Michigan for 13 years and every winter we cared for victums of drinking and snowmobiling. I would say the percentage of alcohol and accidents on snowmobiles approaches 95%. It isn't only the snowmobilers who are injured in accidents, many times bystanders or persons in cars who swerve to avoid snowmobiles are injured. Alcohol and snowmobiles is a deadly combination and laws should be enacted to discourage this practice and tying offenses on a snowmobile to a automobile license is a step in the right direction. Maggie C. Stevens Point

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The bartenders should not be held resposible because if the person has been to a dozen taverns and stops for one how does the bartender know how many he has had. And since I do not need a special stamp on my drivers license a stop on the snowmobile for what ever reason should have no effect on my license.

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I think that if a person is killed on a snowmobile where the driver is drunk and the person that was killed was also drunk and/or drinking the driver should not be the only held guilty.

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I've been snowmobiling for 40 years. I don't care to drink and drive my sled because of the danger of injuring others, or myself. I have seen and been involved in very close calls on the curves of snowmobile trails, that when taken at reasonable speeds are not dangerous. Add a bit of alchol and the no fear factor comes in and those same curves are definitely dangerous. Take out the curves and trees and make it all look like city streets and roads, would take the fun out of riding. When these people from out of state (Illinois) come up and rent sleds, they should be made to take a safety course before being allowed on the trails. Obviously, by the way I have seen them ride, they may benefit from that! With all this negative publicity regarding snowmobiling in the northwoods, brought on by the people of Illinois, coupled with their big city attitudes, they're not going to enjoy the northwoods like they used too!! Maybe they could just stay home!

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I responded to your blog but apparently censorship lives on at channel 7. If people drinking and jumping on a sled is such a MAJOR concern to the few that ride the trail system, don't you think pushing for a law on the books about texting and driving or cell phone use and driving would be much better in helping save the public from themselves? Far more people on the roadways than on a snowmobile trail that could suffer injury or death. Nobody is pushing for that though. Maybe that idiot from Chicago can do a hidden report on that here in the Badger state and we can get that law on the books as well. The only person responsible for this reporters death is those that were on the sled........PERIOD!!!!! Until people realize that and quit trying to pass the blame and make laws for others because of the actions of a few we are all screwed. Nothing like one sided reporting, that's what makes the media such a great outlet.

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Snowmobiling is a family sport for us. When I have my five year old son on my machine with me, I get very nervous about what is going to fly around the corners at me. The machines drive too fast the way it is during the daytime hours, but to know that they are driving that fast at night under the influence makes me just want to stay home. Alcohol seems to be taking over, and what much do families have left to do that is a safe sport? The laws for snowmobiling should be stricter on the speed limits, and points should be taken from drivers license for those caught drinking while sledding.

Tanya-wittenberg

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I am highly suspicious of the report that the driver of the snowmobile (Scott Hershey) had an alcohol level of .224. If it was that high, why was he able to hold a normal conversation a short time following the accident with Tim Price, the investigating warden?

As for the investigative wanna bees with their hidden cameras - they should stay home and take their hidden cameras into their own area's pubs and bars. There are more people killed in one day driving their cars drunk than 3 years worth of snowmobiling.

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This station is so Anti everything from Guns.,to snowmobiling.,to alcohol,what's next on there hit list.,food??????

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Drinking and driving is very bad,especially on a snowmobile. At night if is very SCARY driving on the trails and if you have someone on the trails that are drinking your life is in serious danger. So I beleive that you get caught drinking and driving while driving a snowmobile you should lose your points on your driver license and lose your privledge to drive a snowmobile.

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I believe nothing that does not have to do with operating a motor vehicle on a road should go against your drivers license. The fines are there, the lawyers ready to sue, and the guilt you'll feel if you hurt someone is enough. Snowmobiling should be considered almost a extreme sport and if I hurt myself its my fault! I agree with the earlier post on burying me with a smile on my face. Not being over-regulated is what makes snowmobiling so much fun! The same goes for watercraft! The only thing this new law will do is generate funds for the DNR and DMV. They already have us by the (butts). Godspeed people.

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I want to know when and where these meatings are. Cause that video of that committee on your show today was a bunch of crap. im so frustrated now. and i quote this from the video "we will step up enforcement" what enforcement. the law that doyle signed for the speed limits this past fall is flat bull. I have never seen a dnr warden on the trails after dark and they sure wont be out at 2:30 or bar close to get the drunks. they dont enforce the 55mph speed limit how and why would they enforce this? U never see a dnr warden out at night cause they are to busy at home sleeping while we are out having fun bracking the law that they are not enforcing cause they want to be with there families. Simply solution for this problem is they have to get they (BUTTS) off the chouch and go out and work and put out some tickets. I responded to ur blog the other night and was talking bout how many tickets the state handed out for speeding last year I will find that and email u it if I find it. They are not doing there jobs by sitting at home. the DNR simply needs to be working at night if these laws are going to be in effect. there taking all the fun out of the sports buy putting these laws in effect. If u remember my other blog i don't even drink and drive a sled and i'm so PI**ed right now at these people trying to pass these laws. STEP UP ENFORCEMENT AND WE WOULDNT NEED THIS OWI LAW.

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Several years ago representitive Jim Holprin was instermental in making it illegal for Wardens to use "check-point stops" to enforce snowmobile laws. Holprin who was very likely influenced by the tavern league made it necessary for Wardens to witness a violation before being able to stop a snowmobile. Law enforcement can use "check-point stops" for other enforcemnt but not snowmobiles. We can thank the Tavern League and representative Holprin for at least some of the deaths.

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Every place that sells liquor should have a breathalyzer at the door. If anyone enters legally drunk the cops are called. If anyone leaves legally drunk he is detained for the cops. End of problem

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****PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY****
I live in northern Wisconsin. I have an idea for you visitors - if your idea of fun is to get really drunk, stay in one of our lovely motels, cabins, or condominiums. Drink away! You can go to the bars, but have a designated driver. What you choose to put in your body is your responsibility. You stopped having a babysitter when you hit your teens.
Come and enjoy the northwoods, but be responsible.

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Choices is something all people deal with whether it be for themselves or others close and near them. My brother was also a passenger and was killed, 15 yrs ago this Valentines Day, on a snowmobile. Oh yea, yes they were out drinking. Does a person blame the driver or the victim? People need to make better decisions in their actions for it may affect you or me. Please, make the right choice.
In loving memory

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I don't agree that anyone should be blamed. You are your own person and should have your own ability to decide how you want to enjoy the sport. I don't believe that bartenders should get the blame, they are only doing there job. If that's the case then maybe they need to do more about drunk drivers with vehicles, same situation, you take a risk. No matter if it's snowmobile or a vehicle you have the responsibility on how much you can handle. No I don't agree on drinking a lot when handling that type of recreational vehicle, but it should be the persons own beliefs, why blame it on everyone else.. Cindy, Loyal

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I think that everyone is responsible for their action, but there also other factors that enter into snomobile accidents. Why do we need sled tht are capable of the speeds that they have, I think the manufactures should be at least a little responsible for just wanting to make money, there should be somes limits on engine size, also a lack of snow early in the season accounts for more accidents and of course the drinking should be curtailed but I don't think it is the only reason for the events that occur.