If your eyes are fixed on the tail light, you're not likely to notice the slight turn the machine ahead makes to avoid collision or the object that was almost hit. After snowmobiling for several hours, your reaction time slows. Be aware that even though you may not feel tired, the motion, wind and vibration of the machine may begin to dull your senses. Beware of darkness Low-light and darkness require special care. Slow down and watch for others.
Overcast days require extra caution.
Don't over-drive your headlights. At night on the lakes and large open fields, estimating distances and direction of travel may become difficult. It is important to keep some point of reference when riding at night. The safest snowmobiling rule is never to cross lakes or rivers. Besides the danger of plunging through the ice, you have far less traction for starting, turning and stopping on ice than on snow.