According to the Department of Natural Resources in Wisconsin, a snowmobile going 40 miles per hour takes more than 70 yards to stop — that’s three-quarters of a football field. It takes even longer if you’ve been drinking. This safety video from the DNR explains the hazards of drinking while riding.

Other safety tips from the DNR include:

• Slow down, especially at night, and ride defensively.
• Carry a first-aid kit and dress appropriately. Wear a helmet with goggles or a face shield and dress in layers.
• Avoid traveling across bodies of water when uncertain of ice thickness or water currents.
• Stay on marked trails or, where allowed, on the right shoulder of the road.
• Never travel alone.

Read all of DNR’s safety advice here.

Image courtesy of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), an organization representing the four snowmobile manufacturers. ISMA coordinates committees within the industry to handle concerns such as snowmobile safety.