SLEDsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Ever heard of the 3-second rule? No, this isn’t the one about picking up that burger you dropped on the floor. It’s about making sure you’ll be able to stop safely if the rider in front of you slams on the brakes. 

To use the 3-second rule, watch the rider in front of you pass an object like a tree or sign and make sure you can count out a minimum of 3 seconds before you pass that same object. If you pass the object before reaching 3 seconds, you’re travelling too close to the other rider and will be in danger of hitting them if they need to slam on the brakes. Remember, with the power and weight of a snowmobile, the impact of rear-ending the machine in front of you can be deadly for both you and the other rider. So slow down and never risk it.

When riding in bad weather, when the visibility is poor, when the trail is slippery or when riding in the dark, you should use a count of 6 seconds to mark your distance from the other rider in front of you. Add a little more space when you’re riding at higher speeds too, just in case.