Safety in a UTV

Many people think of UTVs as vehicles for work on the jobsite, but they’re also excellent for trail riding, tearing up dunes, and plenty of other applications. They’re the perfect type of four wheeler for those looking for a good mix of work and play, but getting behind the controls of one requires that you take on an attitude of safety. While they might feel extremely stable and more or less indestructible, accidents can still happen, so you need to adopt some safety tips before you go out and ride. With this guide from Rallye Motoplex, we’ll talk about some of the potential hazards of UTV operations, and then explain the best ways to avoid them. And if you need any repairs to your side by side to stay safe, come into our service department for repairs. We’re in Moncton, New Brunswick, serving the areas of Charlottetown, Fredericton, Saint John, and Bathurst, NB.

Ride Sober

To start, you’ll need to make sure that you’re sober every time you step on a UTV. For some reason, many riders think they can get away with riding powersports equipment under the influence of intoxicants, but that’s simply not a risk that’s worth taking. When riding an off-road vehicle, you’re faced with tight corners, bumpy trails, and unpredictable obstacles, which means that it’s extremely important to have good reflexes. Consuming drugs or alcohol will impair your reflexes, as well as your judgement, so riding under the influence is a recipe for disaster. Even if you take prescription medications, make sure you speak to your doctor before deciding to ride after taking them. Many of these can make you sleepy, disoriented, or nauseous, and you don’t want to go out on a side by side unless you’re alert and awake.

Use Safety Gear

Remember that a UTV doesn’t have many of the safety devices found on a car. There aren’t airbags, seatbelts, or roofs, which means turning over on your side will put your body in direct contact with the trail. That’s why you need to start by protecting your head with a helmet. There are a lot of good helmets out there, but we recommend a motocross style, as these are lightweight yet still sturdy enough to protect your head from serious damage. Along with the helmet, get a visor or pair of goggles so that debris doesn’t fly up into your eyes. You should look for a pair that has anti-fogging technology and UV protection, so your eyes don’t get sunburned and you can see the trail clearly. It’s not a bad idea to get gloves, because these keep your hands safe from getting cut up by branches and rocks. And last of all, you probably need to wear riding boots when you go out on a side by side. Shoes will work fairly well, but boots are better, as they protect both your feet and ankles from debris.

Don’t Stray from the Trail

The last piece of advice we have is to stay on trails when driving a UTV. Sure, these vehicles can handle rough terrain, but that doesn’t mean you should take them so far off the road that you’re destroying property. You can have plenty of fun on the trail, and not to mention, a trail’s path is much more predictable, making it safer for you and your friends to ride.

Riding a UTV is one of the most intense experiences out there, but you need to remember to follow these important safety tips every time you head out to the trail. At Rallye Motoplex, we take your safety seriously, so along with more advice, we’d be happy to help you out with any parts or service you might need for your side by side. We’re located in Moncton, New brunswick, and ready to serve customers from Charlottetown, Fredericton, Saint John, or Bathurst, NB.