Top 10 ATV Safety Tips

With the increasing amount of ATV accidents hitting the headlines, ATV safety is more important than ever. You should be just as careful driving an ATV as you would driving a regular vehicle, so it must be operated safely using the proper procedures. When driven safely, correctly and wisely, ATVs can be a great way to explore the vast outdoors.

Here are ten important ATV safety tips you should know before embarking on an ATV trip.

1. Follow your state’s licensing policy. Most states only give ATV licenses to drivers ages 16 and over. This is for your safety.

2. Use protective gear at all times. Because ATVs are open vehicles, much like motorcycles, protective gear is indispensable to their safe operation. Serious injuries and even fatalities can be avoided by simply using secure eye protection and a helmet.

3. Before driving an ATV, take an ATV safety course to make sure you know all the ins and outs of keeping safe while operating one. Just like you must be taught how to drive, you must also be taught how to handle an ATV properly.

4. Don’t try to put more than one person on a single-rider ATV at once and no more than one passenger on an ATV specifically designed for two people.
Any more passengers can create a safety hazard. The incorrect weight distribution makes the ATV less stable.

5. ATVs are not designed to share the road with regular cars and trucks. Regular roads should be avoided because of the safety risks they pose for ATV drivers. Terrain that is too unstable should also be avoided.

6. Speeding on an ATV, especially when riding on unstable terrain, can pose a serious safety risk. ATVs are not designed to drive at very high speeds. Speed plus unstable terrain can equal a loss of control, which can convert into a serious accident.

7. Don’t drive an ATV while under the influence of alcohol. Although this point should go without saying, it is just as dangerous to drink and drive an ATV as it is to drink and drive a regular car.

8. Always carry a cell phone or walkie-talkie when exploring the great outdoors on your ATV. It’s important to have a means of communication when riding an ATV just in case an emergency should happen.

9. Leave the stunts to the pros. The majority of injuries from ATV accidents occur when the ATV is operated improperly. Don’t encourage accidents.

10. The best safety tip we can provide you for driving an ATV is simply to use your common sense. The little warning bell that goes off in your head may be one of the best indications that something is wrong.

Alex Titriano works for ATV Course and writes about ATV safety for a variety of blogs. For more information, you can contact hi at alex [dot] titriano [at] gmail [dot] com.