Off Road Vehicle Safety

Off roading is one of those rare fun things you can do year round in NY. Recreational use of off-road vehicles has gained widespread popularity during the past several years. People ride to sight see, to socialize, to compete, or just to get out of the house. It has become quite popular now. Lets talk about some safety tips.


Many states require riders to wear helmets. The ATV Safety Institute, recommends that ATV riders use motorcycle or other motorized sports helmets that are certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or the Snell Memorial Foundation (Snell), but there are other important pieces of protective equipment to wear while riding an ATV, such as:

• Goggles – to protect eyes from rocks and dust thrown up by ATVs.
• Gloves – to protect fingers and hands.
• Over-the-ankle boots  to protect feet and ankles from injury.
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirt – to protect skin from rocks, trees, and other debris.

Don't forget that ATVs are designed for interactive riding. This means the driver’s body movement plays an integral part of the handling. The driver must be able to shift his or her weight freely in all directions. If passengers get in the way or shift their weight improperly, the driver may not be able to safely control the ATV. In addition, most ATVs are not equipped with handholds or footrests for passengers. Single rider ATVs display a warning label to remind drivers not to carry passengers. New “2-Up” ATVs on the market are specifically designed to carry a driver with a single passenger. According to manufacturers, these ATVs should never be used to carry children under 12 or to carry more than one passenger.

ATVs should not be driven on paved roads. ATVs on paved roads are at risk of being hit by cars and other vehicles. While passenger vehicles contain safety features designed to protect occupants from collisions, ATVs do not. If struck by other vehicles, ATV riders can be killed or severely injured. This is why it is illegal to drive off road vehicles on paved roads in NY. Also, most ATVs have low pressure tires and a solid rear axle, where both wheels turn at the same speed. When making a turn, the ATV's inside rear wheel is intended to skid because its path length is less than the path length of the outside wheel. ATVs on paved surfaces have much better traction, which prevents the necessary skidding. This can make turning an ATV on paved surfaces unpredictable and unstable.

Visit Hudson Valley Agents for more off road information and super competitive NY insurance rates for your off road vehicles.