Four-wheeling on an off road vehicle can be one of the most exciting and liberating hobbies that anyone can enjoy. Driving off-road helps you experience wilderness in a way much different than driving, or even walking on foot. However, it comes with its own set of dangers – not only from the maintenance of the vehicle, but the usual dangers that come with traversing remote natural environments. In this blog entry I’ll detail ten essential safety tips that make off-road driving immensely more safe.
Update friends and family
Tell someone where you’re going to be, and what time you’re expecting to return. This rule should be followed regardless of the ruggedness of the terrain. People have been known to get stuck or lost in even the most basic and normal natural environments. By doing this, you will make sure the authorities are contacted in case there’s an emergency and you don’t return at the designated time.
Bring more than one vehicle
Make sure to bring along another vehicle, whether it be a car, motorcycle, or bicycle. This way you can know that in case your vehicle gets stuck, or becomes too damaged to drive, you’ll be able to get out of there.
Tie down your belongings
Make sure that your gear is snugly and tightly secured inside your off-road vehicle. If you don’t do this, your belongings could go flying in the event of any turning, bumping, or jostling,
Always wear a seat belt
This is a must – in any kind of moving vehicle. However with ATVs it’s a serious, serious must – no questions asked. Driving an ATV calls for quite a bit of rough motion; you and your passengers will get thrown around a bit on many trails, not to mention the risk of a crash or a rollover. Make sure that every single person in your vehicle (including you) is safely seat belted in.
Bring a Survival Kit
Make sure to bring a first aid kit, extra food and water, and proper clothes that can handle any sort of weather. This way, you’re prepared for any occurrence that could come along.
Don’t over-exert yourself
If you become tired, go home. You need an extreme amount of well-honed concentration in order to safely drive a four-wheeler. Any sort of drop in this focus could lead to an accident; if you feel at all like you need a break, take it. Besides, you can always just go another day.
Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle
This might sound like a familiar spiel to you from theme parks, however it’s an essential rule when you’re driving an ATV. Many off-road trails run between very skinny and narrow passageways. Any hanging limbs can get hurt by rocks, trees, or cliff walls. When your vehicle starts to tip, your instinct will be to reach your hand out; since there’s no way this would help, either resist your instinct or make sure the windows are closed. Also, never hold onto the roll bar – it needs to be uncovered to protect you in the event of a rollover.
Remember the park pedal
Since most off-road trails aren’t on level ground, make sure that when the vehicle is topped, that you shift it into park mode, use the emergency brake, and shut off the engine – this way you can prevent your ATV from rolling away due to an incline.
Never hang onto or climb the vehicle
If your vehicle gets stuck, don’t try to pull or tip it back down using your hands- these vehicles weigh a literal ton, and you don’t want them falling on top of you. Make sure to always use the proper industry standard tools to fix any sort of misalignment or misplacement, and wait a distance away from the car to remain safe.
Responsibly Use any Tools
If you’re using high-lift straps, winches, or clevises, make sure to use them with complete caution and responsibility. These mechanisms operate under massive amounts of tension ; make sure to inspect all equipment for damage before using it, and when you are, stand a clear distance away from it just to be safe.
