As we move towards Thanksgiving and Christmas, it also means the start of another cherished tradition for thousands of Wisconsinites: snowmobiling. In our district and across Wisconsin, thousands of people take to the trails to enjoy the over 25,000 miles of groomed trails ever since the first 'motor toboggan' was invented here in Wisconsin in 1924.

This extensive network of trails is due to the hard work of local volunteers from snowmobiling clubs throughout Wisconsin. They work with property owners to secure trail access and clean and maintain trails to keep them safe for the public. Recently, I joined Rep. Nygren and other members of the Legislature to pass legislation that provided snowmobile trails $3 million, ensuring that funds from snowmobile registrations are routed back to local clubs for trail maintenance and upkeep.

I always encourage snowmobilers and members of the public to check the Travel Wisconsin Snow Report, which provides a definitive list of which trails have been groomed and are open for the year. Even more importantly, we want to ensure that everyone stays safe. In the last two months of the snowmobiling season, there were 19 fatalities, with alcohol being a factor in more than half of the cases. DNR and local law enforcement take a zero-tolerance approach to those who snowmobile with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, which is the same as for those driving a car._ To help keep our trails safe for everyone, snowmobilers born on or after January 1st, 1985 and who are at least 12 years old are required to complete a one-day safety course. Snowmobilers who are 16 and older can complete the course entirely online. Those who complete the course will receive a snowmobile safety certificate._ The Department of Natural Resources is also providing some basic tips that help everyone to stay safe on the trails:

•Slow down and obey speed limits. Speed is often a factor in both fatal and non-fatal snowmobile crashes.

•Dress appropriately for the weather and carry a first-aid kit. This includes a helmet with goggles or a face shield to prevent injuries from flying debris.

•Avoid traveling across ice unless you know the ice is thick enough to support the weight of your snowmobile. Often, flowing water can significantly lessen the strength and thickness of ice on lakes, rivers, and ponds.

I encourage you to visit the DNR website at_https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/_to learn more about snowmobile safety and the Travel Wisconsin website to stay up to date on which trails have opened.

Happy Trails and safe_driving!