THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS URGING SNOWMOBILERS TO FOCUS ON SAFETY THIS WINTER. 

RIDERS NEED TO MAKE SURE THEIR SNOWMOBILE IS IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION AND WEAR THE PROPER CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIKE HELMETS, GLOVES AND GOGGLES SAYS D-N-R SAFETY EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR JEFF HOPKINS. HE SAYS WHEN PEOPLE GET INTO TROUBLE, IT'S OFTEN BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW THE LAND VERY WELL AND RUN INTO FENCES OR TRY AND CROSS BODIES OF WATER.

HOPKINS SAYS ANOTHER BIG PROBLEM IS PEOPLE DRINKING AND SNOWMOBILING. HE RECOMMENDS ALWAYS RIDING WITH SOMEONE ELSE AND KEEPING AN EYE ON THE WEATHER.