8 | Snowmobile VERMONT By Stan Choiniere I don’t know when the practice of holding up your left hand to tell oncoming traffic how many sleds are behind you started or who started it. While it sounds like a good idea, in reality it’s very dangerous. There is no law or rule that requires you to do it. Really, what is the value? I have been a safety instructor for 20 years and I have stressed with all of my students that safety is our first responsibility when riding, followed closely with respecting the land and the landowners. Basic safety rule number one is ride to the right. Along with that is safe speed for the conditions, always stay to your side of corners and maintain control of your sled. When we meet oncoming traffic, we should all slow down and be certain that we are to the far right. We should be ready to react quickly to the oncoming traffic that may not always be on their side of the trail or may drift into your path. If you need to apply the brake, you need your left hand on the handlebar not in the air signaling your sled count. I also recommend to my students that they rest a finger or two on the brake lever to avoid any delay if it is needed. Steering your sled one handed can be difficult, especially for kids. I can’t count how many times that I have meet oncoming sleds where the riders are more concerned in getting their hand up with some number of fingers raised than keeping their sleds under control. I have seen sleds go off the trail or drift in front of me with panic in their eyes. Also, how many times do you see a closed fist signaling “last sled” when there is a line of additional sleds right behind it? When riders started doing this, I will admit that I did it as well until this Check out our one-stop shop! ATVs Snowmobiles UTVs Parts & Oil Garments IN-STOCK & ON SALE! leespowersports.com 171WestRd.,Ellington,CT 860-875-1444 very true story happened to me. I was last in line and was holding up closed fist. One of the riders coming towards me was wearing a motocross helmet with no face shield. The trail was narrow and in my attempt to stay right, my right ski hit a stump on the edge of the trail and it bounced me to the center of the trail. I pulled hard on the handlebar with my right hand and that made the sled roll on its edge, throwing me to the center of the trail and coming traffic. I had my boot hooked in the toe loop and was able to hold on and roll the sled back flat and on my side of the trail, but not before I punched the rider with the motocross helmet in the face. When we both stopped, I checked to make sure he was OK and to apologize and see if he wanted to punch me back. He was fine. He knew it was an accident and that was the last time I signaled. So why do it? Does the closed fist give you a green light to ride center or left or cut corners? No. We must always ride by the rules and expect the other guy to be on your side. If the first rider in the group wants to signal quickly that there are others behind him, I can understand that. But why would it be important to count down 4-3-2-1-fist? Today, there are also light systems that some riders use. Yellow lights mean someone is behind them and green is last sled in the group. This is safer because you keep your hands on the bars, but the green light still doesn’t mean the trail is clear. The bottom line is to keep your hands where they belong on the handlebars, ready to use the brake quickly if needed. You need both hands and arms to steer and to keep your sled under control. Always ride smart and safe, respect the trails, land and landowners and be an active member of your club. KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE THEY BELONG!