I went out riding this last weekend and I noticed that in my riding area that they took down at least 40 corner signs to put up only 1 . I would think that the state of Michigan would want more safety and less accidents and fatalities. If one person gets hurt or dies because the signs were removed thats too many. I would rather see speed limits in the trails before any signs were removed. All I can say is ride safe and lets hope the emergency personal aren't stretched to thin this year. Lets get ready this years blanket statement " You/ They were going to fast " for every accident or fatality.
It appears to me, curiously (and maybe I'm wrong) that many of the people who have commented, in this thread and others, in favor of sign removal are primarily off-trail riders. Presumably, many left the trail in favor of off-trail because of the traffic and the crazies. Now that the trails will be "safer", do they plan on doing more trail riding?
I had no problems with all the signs that we used to have. The corner signs were a great help and I used them regularly and I am sure they saved my butt many times over but I honesty just do not ride like that anymore. Right now I am considering buying a trail sled as a cool opportunity is in front of me so when I say I just don't ride like that anymore it is not because I don't have a performance trail sled but because I'm old and just do not want to have a serious wreck because when I ride trail I am going much faster than when I am off-trail. I do love speed on a trail. Last night I rode 85 mph down the grade and average 70 for miles.QUOTE]
You make a very good point in favor of more signs. I don't ride like I used to in my 20's and 30's either, but there are lots of people that age, and even older than us, that still do. If they saved our butts many times over, what will happen to the fast riders now that won't have them? We need to think of everyone in this, not just our own situation, IMO.
The bottom line is that the snowmobiling community has to come up with a way to police itself and try to control the excessive speeds. Other solutions may include heavily enforced speed limits, although I doubt that stops people from entering a turn too fast. Maybe we need to make more trails one way, or build berms in the middle of them. Probably not possible or practical in most areas. I've always been more interested in the adventure aspect of snowmobiling as opposed to the speed thrills, so maybe I don't understand the ricky-racers, who will probably drive too fast no matter what. If I wanted to ride where every turn and hazard was perfectly marked, I think I'd get a motorcycle.
i have to say i am pretty surprised at some of the more experienced riders on this site and their indifference to this change. I for one think it is a very bad idea to remove signage. I am not so worried about how i ride but am much more worried about the other guy. We also enjoy a sport where we ride in incliment weather. Sure it is easy to see a curve on a nice sunny day but how about a heavy snowfall or even riding at night in heavy snow or blowing snow. Happens alot especially in le areas. Don't care how slow you ride and how careful, it is nice to see a sign advising of a curve in such difficult weather situations.
And removing the signs to slow people down is just bs. If you read about why they really did this you will understand that this is not the main reason. Main reason was due to lawsuits (bill manson even comment on this on fishweb). That is the part that bothers me the most. We live in a society where people feel entitled and furthermore do not feel they need to take responsibility for their actions (and it is getting worse). According to msa there were lawsuits that were a result of signs in one place and not another. Really? Our court systems allow such bogus lawsuits? That is the real problem. I cannot for the life of me consider going to a lawyer because there was or was not a sign and i blew a corner and hit a tree. If that happened it is my fault and i am 100% responsible for my actions (and need to pay the consequences for anyone else that may have suffered in such an accident). The land owner or the state are not responsible. Our court systems, lawyers, and lack of responsibility by individuals is the real problem. Taking signs down predominantly for this reason is just assinine.
Main reason was due to lawsuits (Bill Manson even comment on this on Fishweb). That is the part that bothers me the most. We live in a society where people feel entitled and furthermore do not feel they need to take responsibility for their actions (and it is getting worse). According to MSA there were lawsuits that were a result of signs in one place and not another. Really? Our court systems allow such bogus lawsuits? That is the real problem. I cannot for the life of me consider going to a lawyer because there was or was not a sign and I blew a corner and hit a tree. If that happened it is my fault and I am 100% responsible for my actions (and need to pay the consequences for anyone else that may have suffered in such an accident). The land owner or the state are not responsible. Our court systems, lawyers, and lack of responsibility by individuals is the real problem. Taking signs down predominantly for this reason is just assinine.
I have to say I am pretty surprised at some of the more experienced riders on this site and their indifference to this change. I for one think it is a very bad idea to remove signage. I am not so worried about how I ride but am much more worried about the other guy. We also enjoy a sport where we ride in incliment weather. Sure it is easy to see a curve on a nice sunny day but how about a heavy snowfall or even riding at night in heavy snow or blowing snow. Happens alot especially in LE areas. Don't care how slow you ride and how careful, it is nice to see a sign advising of a curve in such difficult weather situations.
And removing the signs to slow people down is just BS. If you read about why they really did this you will understand that this is not the main reason. Main reason was due to lawsuits (Bill Manson even comment on this on Fishweb). That is the part that bothers me the most. We live in a society where people feel entitled and furthermore do not feel they need to take responsibility for their actions (and it is getting worse). According to MSA there were lawsuits that were a result of signs in one place and not another. Really? Our court systems allow such bogus lawsuits? That is the real problem. I cannot for the life of me consider going to a lawyer because there was or was not a sign and I blew a corner and hit a tree. If that happened it is my fault and I am 100% responsible for my actions (and need to pay the consequences for anyone else that may have suffered in such an accident). The land owner or the state are not responsible. Our court systems, lawyers, and lack of responsibility by individuals is the real problem. Taking signs down predominantly for this reason is just assinine.
its not you the gets the lawyer its your loved ones
Correct me if I am wrong but If there was a sign in a corner last year and someone gets hurt this year in that same corner where they removed a sign wont that open the door for more law suits.
Correct me if I am wrong but If there was a sign in a corner last year and someone gets hurt this year in that same corner where they removed a sign wont that open the door for more law suits.