WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) -- After three fatal snowmobile crashes this past weekend; two in Vilas County and one in Iron County, a new report from the DNR finds that the number of deaths due to crashes has already surpassed the total number from last year.

"To date we have 17 fatal snowmobile crashes in Wisconsin," said Lt. Martin Stone, Wisconsin DNR Conservation Warden. "Three fatals this weekend and I can't stress enough that it's too much."

In January of 2020, there were eight fatalities. There were nine in February. According to the DNR, 19 fatal crashes happened in 2018 and 16 in 2019. Those numbers accounted for the full calendar year.

"Certainly not a good trend that we want to be seeing," said Tim Ebert, Wisconsin DNR Warden. "We want to see people getting outdoors, enjoying the outdoors, and engaging in the sport of snowmobiling but we certainly don't want to see this number of fatalities."

The DNR data shows several of the crashes this year are alcohol related, happened while it was dark outside, or over bodies of water.

"Visibility is reduced at night," Ebert said. "We do have a speed limit in place for night time operation at 55 mph, but at that speed you are still risking out driving the headlights on your snowmobile."

"Drive at a pace that allows you to react to any type of situation that might occur in front of you on a trail," Lt. Stone said.

"Drive sober," Ebert added. "Make sure you've not had any drugs or alcohol in your system."

The DNR is also encouraging that you stay on the marked trails, don't ride over bodies of water if you're unsure of the thickness, never travel alone, keep a first aid kit with you, and a cellphone as well.