Snowmobile Trail Signs and Safety Sleds of Stafford Snowmobile Club Western New York WNY

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Club Officers 2008/09

President:
Ken Radley

Vice President:
Dave Merica

Membership:
Jeanne Freeman

Secretary:
Lynn Smith

Treasurer:
Gerry Ivison

Board of Directors
Brian Thompson
Chris Jeffres
Dave Stephens
Doug Smith
Jeff Thompson
John Brewster
Steve Beach
Al Secash
Craig Holly
Todd Sloat
Dave Merica
Mark DeFelice
Tim Freeman
Renee' Merica
Matt Gartz

PO Box 709
Stafford, NY 14143-0709
sledsofstafford@rochester.rr.com

Trail Signs & Safety

USE OF PRIVATE LANDS IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT. AND AS SUCH LANDOWNERS CAN AND WILL TAKE AWAY THAT PRIVILEGE IF IT IS ABUSED!!!!

ALWAYS FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES, REGULATIONS, AND SIGNS ON THE TRAILS. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. IT CAN ALSO LEAD TO LOSS OF TRAILS FOR EVERYONE!! NEVER RIDE FASTER THAN YOUR SKILLS ARE CAPABLE OF, AND NEVER AFTER USING ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.
BE ALERT AND STAY TO THE RIGHT!!

YOU MUST ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND THE SAFETY OF YOURSELF, AND FELLOW SNOWMOBILERS OUT ON THE TRAILS!

Signs are in place to help guide you along our trails, but common sense is second to none! Be sure to think and ride safe on all trails.

There is a 55MPH speed limit throughout New York State. Be sure to follow all rules & regulations.
The fine for not having insurance, or not being registered is about $250 each. Your snowmobile can also be impounded for these violations. They will also issue tickets for illegal exhaust systems.

	The Stop sign instructs riders to bring their snowmobile to a complete stop at or before the sign, before proceeding. It is used at road crossings, trail junctions/intersections, and other areas where it is important to look before moving on.
	The Stop Ahead sign indicates that you are approaching a Stop sign. You should begin to reduce speed and look ahead for Stop Sign placement.
	A Caution Sign may be used to make you aware of a trail condition, object, or any other potentially hazardous change in the trail which does not have a specific sign. Always reduce speed and be on the lookout for hazardous objects or conditions.
	A Trail Blazer, or reassuring blazer can sometimes be found on long stretches of trails to let the riders know they are on the correct path. Always look for other signs along the trail.
	These arrows signs are often used in place of the trail blazers. They can also be used to help show the direction of travel, or slight changes in trail direction. They are also used when paired with signs for locations, to show what direction to travel to get to a destination.
	Slow means to bring your snowmobile to a slower speed until trail signing changes. They can be used in areas that are close to residential or business locations, and the owners request that we proceed slowly and quietly through their area until we are a safe distance from them.
	Right or Left turn arrows indicate that there is a substantial change in the direction of the trail. You should reduce speed until you clear the turn, and can see a safe distance ahead.
	A Chevron sign can be used much like the turn signs above. They can additionally be used to help guide riders around a curve that sweeps widely to one direction or another to keep you on the trail. Again, reduced speed is advised until you can see a safe distance ahead.
	A Junction Ahead sign indicates you are approaching an intersection of trails. You will often see Stop Ahead signs with/or nearby to indicate the need to slow down and be ready to stop.
	A Barricade Ahead sign tells you that you are approaching a gate or other device blocking the path of the trail. Reduce your speed until you have cleared the barricade, follow the marked trails until you can see a safe distance ahead on the trail.
	A Winding Trail sign lets you know that you are approaching a series of left and/or right turns in the trail. Always reduce your speed, and keep safely to the right until you can see a safe distance ahead.
	A Bridge Ahead sign indicates that you are coming to a bridge crossing. Bridges often narrow the trails, and may only allow traffic in one direction at a time. Reduce your speed, approach the bridge with caution, and cross the bridge (staying right when space allows)
	A Culvert Ahead sign often lets the rider know that there is a dip or bump in the trail, and often causes the trail to become narrower. Stay on the trail, as many times the there is a ditch or other objects to each side of the crossing. Reduce your speed, keep right when space allows, and proceed with caution until you have cleared the object and can see a safe distance ahead.
	Object Marker Signs are used throughout the trail system. They are used to warn riders of bridges, culverts, objects in or near trails, and other hazardous conditions or items. When used in a pair, the long lines in the center point towards the trail to be followed. When used alone, the long line points to the side of the object you should pass. SEE ILLUSTRATION BELOW
	Keep Right or Stay Right signs are used to make sure riders are keeping to their side of the trail when possible. Especially in wooded or curvy trails, hills, fields and anywhere else necessary. This will help keep traffic going in opposite directions from coming too close to each other Reduce speed, and proceed with caution - especially where trails are narrow. ALWAYS keep right, as some riders do not always follow these rules.
	No Snowmobiling signs MUST always be obeyed. Do not enter or follow trails or snowmobile tracks into areas marked with these signs. Snowmobiling past these signs is often prohibited by law, and/or landowners. Failure to comply can be hazardous to the rider as the trails are unmarked, and could cause ALL snowmobilers loss of trails if a landowner becomes upset.
	Do Not Enter also means you should not follow tracks or trails beyond this point. This could be an area where riding is not permitted, is unsafe, illegal, or possibly even due to one way traffic. The same rules as the No Snowmobiling signs apply and should be followed at all times.
	Stay on Trail signs are often used with the above signs. Continue to follow the marked trail, and do not follow tracks of other snowmobiles onto unmarked areas.
	No ATV's means that wheeled vehicles may not be used on these trails. It is illegal for ATV's or other like vehicle to be on Funded Groomed trails in many areas.
	You may or may not see groomer signs on the trails. You are ALWAYS to assume that there may be grooming equipment on the trails. You MUST allow the groomers the right of way when you encounter them on the trail. They are large powerful machines you need to be cautious of. You may find it necessary to stop and/or pull over to allow the groomers to pass safely.
	Corridor Trail Junction ID Signs help identify your location on the trail systems, and indicates the intersection of 2 Main Corridor trails. They contain the 2 letter County Abbreviation, Intersection ID number, and the letter C for corridor.
	Trail Junction ID signs are used mainly for secondary trail intersections. They contain the 2 letter County Abbreviation, Intersection ID number, but do not have the letter C, indicating a secondary trail.
	Corridor ID signs indicate which Trail Corridor Number you are on, and may have a letter after the number to indicate a specific section. These are used on Main Corridor Trails in a system.
	Secondary Trail ID signs indicate which Trail Number you are on, and may have a letter after the number to indicate a specific section. These are used on Secondary Trails in a system.
	Food, Lodging, Gas and other information signs may be found throughout the trail system. They may be found on signs like this, or even on handmade signs to help direct you to these services. It is always best to know your destination, and how to get there prior to starting your ride.
Know your hand signals when on the trail. It is also common to see people hold up 1, 2, 3, 4 fingers to represent how many snowmobiles are behind them. It is especially helpful when coming through an area where you can not see ahead, and people passing can not see far past you!

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO STAY BETWEEN THESE MARKERS IN THE FIELDS!!! LANDOWNERS ALLOW US THROUGH ON AS SMALL A PATH AS POSSIBLE. DAMAGING CROPS OR RIDING OUTSIDE OF THESE MARKERS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF TRAILS.
Other Safety Tips	Always plan ahead. Check your machine for proper operation, fuel and oil levels, lights, maps and gear. A cell phone can be useful also in case of emergency. Cell phones may not work in many areas, and other communication devices can be obtained to take with you. Be sure to clean your tail light lens often as they often become covered in snow quickly. Never Ride alone - be sure to ride with someone else, and always let someone staying at home know where you are riding to and the route you are taking. It is recommended that you bring a spare drive belt, spark plugs, oil, hand warmers, and a tow rope in case of a break down. If you need to be towed, your machine will tow much easier with the drive belt removed. Do not tow a broken machine by the ski tips as this will cause damage. See your owners manual for recommended towing procedures if you are unsure. Never ride on the snowmobile being towed.