Side-by-Side all-terrain vehicles can be pure fun. They deliver speed, agility and ease of operation unlike almost any other form of off-road transportation. The controls are familiar to anyone who can drive a car, and they give the impression of indestructible safety with their rugged construction and integrated roll cages. But don’t be fooled – all that capability can lull you into some pretty hairy situations if you fail to follow these five tips for Side-by-Side safety.
Though it may be tempting to ride in a baseball cap, cool sunglasses and flip-flops, safety demands that you and your passengers always wear proper protection. A motorcycle helmet, preferably a full-face model designed for off-road use, is a must. Proper eye protection, either a face shield integrated in your helmet or off-roading goggles, are also necessary. Long sleeves, preferably a protective jacket, and long pants are highly recommended. Boots or riding shoes with grippy soles will assure that your feet don’t get knocked off of the pedals on rough stretches or landings. Riding gloves will help cushion the impact on the steering wheel for you as a driver, and for your passengers on the grip handles.
While Side-by-Sides can go really fast over bumpy terrain, they are not infallible. Go too fast, and you can damage the suspension, which can lead to disastrous handling. Attempt an approach that’s too steep or at too severe a side angle, and you can easily flip the vehicle. Never crest a hill at speed unless you know what’s on the other side – it might be a vertical drop, or there might be another vehicle approaching, hidden from view. When in doubt, slow down.
Just like they tell you on a rollercoaster, when you’re moving at speed, an obstacle outside the vehicle can catch an appendage and snap it backward. Insist that your passengers follow this rule, too, and avoid unpleasant and painful injuries.
This should go without saying, but we’re saying it anyway. Driving a Side-by-Side safely is all about exercising proper judgement while having fun, and drugs and alcohol can impair your ability to do so. Take your fun seriously, and you can have serious fun.
Even though Side-by-Sides are promoted as “go-anywhere” vehicles, straying from designated trails is not only dangerous, it’s also harmful to the environment. Riding a Side-by-Side is a privilege, not a right – and if riders aren’t respectful of fragile ecosystems, that privilege will be restricted by the authorities. And though it’s tempting, don’t ride your Side-by-Side on public roads. Not only is it illegal, a Side-by-Side is not a safe form of transportation in an environment where it will encounter street-legal vehicles. It doesn’t have much crash protection, lacks airbags, and is smaller and harder for cars and trucks to see.
Have fun with your Side-by-Side – but make it the smart kind of fun that you can enjoy for many years to come.