All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are an exciting way to get around and explore areas of your community that you may not otherwise see. ATVs can be fun, but they also need proper safety precautions to avoid catastrophic injuries.

When ATV drivers are not taking the proper precautions, a joyride can quickly turn fatal. Every safety measure you take is another way to reduce the chances of you or anyone else getting hurt on your ride. Here are a few tips you can follow to stay safe:

Wear protective gear

Helmets, knee and elbow pads, and even leather or denim jackets keep drivers and passengers safe. No matter where you are going, from into the woods or down the road, if you fall off a speeding ATV, your gear is the only thing left to keep you safe.

Know your driving area

Driving in wooded or otherwise unfamiliar terrain is dangerous. Fallen logs, hidden ditches, and wildlife can all suddenly endanger you and your passengers. Sometimes, a wooded area may even have old wire fences that can clothesline an ATV driver, and be deadly at high speeds.

Watch for others

In rural areas, it is easy to assume that no one else is around. Under this assumption, it is hard to react to someone appearing seemingly out of nowhere. Even abandoned roads are never truly deserted, so make sure you are not a danger to those around you by recklessly driving.

Have proper signal equipment

The headlights on an ATV are not just for illuminating the trail, and they also alert other people of your presence. Without functioning lights, others may not see you before driving into you or your path. Make sure that your vehicle is equipped with proper headlights that are functional.

With these few tips, you will be able to make your time on the trail safer for you and anyone around you. Take a few moments before setting off on your ATV to make sure you are prepared for anything.