Riding an ATV is fun and exhilarating. However, it is imperative to stay safe during the ride. A ride is only fun when there are no accidents or injuries sustained. If you get injured during a ride, you cannot say you had a great time. So, let us learn how to stay safe when riding an ATV.
You can stay safe while riding an ATV by always wearing a helmet and eye-protective goggles, wearing protective clothing, riding at a safe speed, riding an ATV that is suitable for your size, never riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and following the ATV rules of your state.
For you to stay safe when riding, there are rules that you must always abide by. Breaking any of these rules can result in unexpected and undesirable results. No one wants to get injured or have an accident when riding an ATV. So, dive in and learn how to ride safely.
Why Are ATVs So Dangerous?
ATVs weigh more than most vehicles, so the results could be fatal and more life-threatening if an accident occurs. The injuries sustained from ATV accidents range from minor injuries, like cuts, scratches, and burns, to fatalities like broken bones, internal organ injuries, and even death.
Research has shown that victims of ATV accidents are more likely to die than any two-wheeled vehicle. When riding an ATV at a fast speed, rollovers and collisions are most likely to occur depending on the terrain you are riding. ATVs have a high center of gravity, and they do not have roll bars which makes it easy for them to tumble during a ride.
Most ATVs do not come with seat belts or safety cages to easily tip over, and the driver and passenger could be thrown off. They can even roll over the rider, which can cause severe harm or death, as the case may be.
Making sudden turns when driving an ATV can also cause the vehicle to skid sideways and crash. Trying to attempt a flip with your ATV can cause a fatal accident that can lead to the rider's death.
If the tire of your ATV suddenly gets flat, you can quickly lose control of the vehicle. This can result in a terrible crash, and the rider can sustain minor injuries or fatal injuries depending on the severity of the crash.
How Do You Stay Safe On An ATV?
Knowing that ATVs can be hazardous should not stop you from riding them. There are ways you can ride an ATV and still stay safe. As long as you follow all the precautionary measures when riding an ATV, you do not need to fear getting into an accident. These are some of the ways to stay safe when riding an ATV:
Take A Training Lesson
One of the common causes of ATV accidents is the lack of proper training. When you do not learn how to ride an ATV, the possibility of an accident is high. There are training lessons that you can take at driving schools. During these lessons, you will learn the different parts of an ATV and how they function. This will help you understand the vehicle and ride it properly.
Inspect Your ATV Before Riding
One common mistake many people make is that they do not thoroughly inspect the vehicle before riding. Inspecting the vehicle before riding averts the ATV from having a sudden mechanical breakdown. Before you go out for a drive on your ATV, make sure you check the tire pressures, the brakes, the controls, the level of fuel and oil, and other essential parts of the vehicle.
Always Wear Protective Helmet And Clothing
A lot of ATV drivers neglect helmets and protective clothing when riding. The helmet should also have protective goggles in order to protect not only your head but your eyes as well in cases of accidents or head-on collisions. Wearing plain clothing can be dangerous when riding an ATV. Protective clothing like long pants, gloves, long-sleeved clothes, and over the ankle boots protects your body from cuts and scrapes when or if you fall off the vehicle.
Never Ride Under Influence
You must never ride an ATV under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drugs and alcohol make one's vision hazy. When you are driving your ATV under the influence of drugs and alcohol, there is a high chance that you can have an accident by driving in the wrong direction or hitting an obstacle. You must make sure that you do not drink alcohol before or during your ride.
Do Not Ride At Night Without Lightening
Another way of ensuring your safety on an ATV is by riding only during the day. Riding at night prevents you from seeing the terrain, especially when there is no adequate lighting. When you are unable to see where you are going, there is a high chance you might get into an accident.
Ride At A Safe Speed
When you are riding an ATV, you must never drive at the maximum speed. It is advisable that you ride at a safe speed. Riding at high speed can cause the ATV to tip over, which will result in a fatal crash. The tires of an ATV are not designed to move at high speeds, and doing so can cause some damage to the tire while you are riding.
Never Drive Without A License
It is crucial that you under no circumstances drive an ATV without a driver's license. A teenager can drive under the supervision of an adult with a driver's license. Driving without a license is against the rules of most states. If you drive your ATV without a license, you can be fined by the government and have your vehicle seized.
How Common Are ATV Accidents?
ATV accidents are prevalent. According to medical research, statistics showed that about 98,000 people have ended up in emergency rooms due to ATV accidents. Within a year, medical reports have shown that approximately 135,000 people have been injured in ATV-related accidents.
Research has also shown that over eight hundred people die yearly as a result of ATV accidents. It has also been proven that approximately one-third of the death victims in ATV accidents are individuals under age sixteen.
Most ATV accidents are a result of the driver's irresponsibility. Some teenagers see experienced ATV drivers performing flips with their vehicles, and then they try to do the same. Eventually, they lose control of the vehicle, and accidents occur.
Why Is It Important To Know About ATV Safety?
There is a popular saying, "better safe than sorry." It should not be after being a victim of ATV accidents that you learn about ATV safety. There are lots of reasons why you should know about ATV safety:
- To prevent any form of accident or collision.
- To protect your vehicle from any form of crash.
- To avoid being fined by the state.
- To protect yourself and others from any form of accident.
You should not be satisfied with just knowing about ATV safety. You should also make sure you follow the safety rules. Doing so will protect you and any other person you have in your vehicle from harm and injuries.
Final Thoughts
Your safety should be your priority when riding an ATV. You should consider it before the fun and excitement. If you get injured, there is no fun and excitement when you are receiving medical attention. It is better to ride safely and have little fun than to take risks to try to increase the fun. Enjoy your ride on your ATV and stay safe.
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.