Tips For You To Ride Safely When Using ATVs/UTVs

ATVs and UTVs are very powerful and potentially dangerous vehicles if not used right. Oftentimes, accidents happen by simply going too fast for the conditions, not judging the curves on the trails correctly and also not knowing the terrain.

Safety is really part of the pleasure when trail riding. It’s no fun if someone suffers an impairment from mishandling or wrongdoing. We want to see people ride responsibly so everyone can get back to their family and friends safely.

Here are a few tips we would like to share with operators to brush up on safe practices when riding your UTVs & ATVs.

Please slow down. Keep your speed in check for the terrain, visibility conditions and your experience.

Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during your ride.

Please wear your seat belt and your helmet. Always wear a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet. Serious injuries and death can occur at the slowest of speeds. In 2020 33 people had died in ATV and UTV related crashes. Most of those incidents involved people not wearing a helmet or a seat belt.

Wear Protective Gear
Wear protective clothing such as eye protection, this will help keep the dust out of your eyes. Wear a mask to keep the dust out of your nose. Here are some really nice masks! Wear pants and long-sleeve shirts to protect from the elements.

In Wisconsin some of the terrians are steep for ATV/UTVs. Please use your best judgement and be careful while traversing hills.

Operating In Wisconsin
ATV and UTV operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 who are at least 12 years old for an ATV (and at least 16 years old for UTV) must complete an ATV safety certification course to operate in Wisconsin (exception: on private property owned by operator’s immediate family).

You can find Wisconsin’s online UTV/ATV safety course here.

If you are trail riding in Wisconsin, be sure to display registration ID number on a rear plate for all ATVs and UTVs registered for public use. 

Be sure to remove all dirt, mud and any vegetation from your machine before using it in other areas. Reason for this is that trail riding machines can easily transport invasive plant species or seeds that are harmful to local habitats.

Do not operate your machines in or around waterways or wetlands.
ATVs and UTVs are only allowed to cross waterways at bridges, legal fords or roads. Machine use in these areas is illegal and causes serious habitat damage that is very costly to repair.

 

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