[ChemistCat]

I'm so protective of my children. I can't imagine letting my children operate a snowmobile, let alone on their own without supervision.

At the same time I mourn the freedom I had as a child, which my children don't have.

I'm sorry for the parents and for their losses. I'm also sorry for the poor judgment that put children on motor vehicles. I know this could have happened if they were older, too, but it would be less likely--as we get older, we pay attention to things like roads going over hills, where oncoming traffic wouldn't be able to see.

The driver of the truck has something to carry with him forever that I don't think he deserves. If he wasn't cited I'm sure he wasn't going unreasonably fast.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

When I was 10 to 16, I was perfectly happy to slide down a hill on my sled.

Parents who let young children operate motor vehicles like this should be prosecuted to make examples of their negligence!!

[WackyKat]

Children that young have absolutely no business operating snowmobiles or ATVs, any more than they would automobiles.

If the children hadn't been killed, I would suggest whoever allowed it should be prosecuted. As it is, they have punishment enough

[rabidralph]

Patiently waiting for a newbie to say he/she 1.) knows all of these girls 2.) went to school with one or all of them 3.) is the father/mother of one or all of them (we need your prayers) 4.) sold the families the snowmobiles.

[winker]

Driving a snowmobile should carry the same requirements as a car,truck skido watercraft or a mororcyle (A Drivers Licence) and the proven ability to control the vehicle on a public venue. Even on private property it is not good common sense to let a inexperienced operator loose risking life and limb. Somebody must take responsibility for things such as this even though it seems harmless enough. Some people NEVER LEARN and are always the first ones to blame society for all their problems and stupidity! Operating a motorized vehicle is not a "RIGHT OF PASSAGE" sometime it ends up in death and destruction and a lifetime of regrets!

[FlyVet]

Authorities said that the truck had come over a hill and that the driver couldn't stop in time on the gravel road. A preliminary investigation found that the accident couldn't have been avoided,

If that isn't the most contradictory statement I've read lately...how 'bout not whipping down the middle of the road on a snowmobile, with a hill up ahead, not knowing what's coming?

I had my snowobile years when I was young and dumb, loaded with adrenaline and testosterone. I was lucky I didn't get seriously hurt or killed, but a car wouldn't have done it, an unknown curve or dip in the trail would have. If you don't know what's ahead, get off the throttle, epecially on a road. Kids on low-powered sleds, with a good helmet strapped on tight, should be ok for buzzing around in open fields, if they have any sense at all. Unless there are high-powered sleds around. Some of them can do 120+ mph, and can't stop very fast.