ATV Safety

Riding your four wheeler into the woods or off the beaten path can be a thrilling and fun way to spend an afternoon. Even as you’re racing through fields and over dunes, though, you should be equipped and educated when it comes to all-terrain vehicle safety practices. You don’t want to find yourself on a broken ATV because you failed to check it before leaving. Similarly, you don’t want to land in the hospital with a serious head injury because you weren’t wearing the right safety gear to keep yourself safe. At America's Motor Sports Dickson, we know how important ATV safety is and we want to help you prepare yourself to ride safely. That’s why we’ve created this quick guide that covers the main safety issues so that you can take care of them and then focus on that next off-roading adventure.

Safety Equipment

Before you climb aboard your 4 wheeler, it’s important that you acquire and equip the right gear to keep yourself safe as you ride. The most essential component of ATV safety gear is a well-fitting and DOT-rated helmet. Since there aren’t really any ATV-specific helmets, most riders use either a motorcycle helmet or a motocross helmet, both of which are meant for high-impact extreme riding, so they lend themselves well to protecting ATV riders. Motorcycle helmets can be heavy and hot on ATVs since they don’t go as fast, so a motocross helmet is a nice balance. If your helmet lacks a face shield, you should purchase goggles that will protect your eyes from any debris kicked up by your ATV.

The rest of your attire need not be specialized in any way. Long pants and long sleeves will prevent you from getting scratched up by branches, while sturdy boots and gloves will protect your hands and feet. Your ATV should also have a first-aid kit stowed away in a compartment so you can immediately address any injuries you might sustain while riding.

ATV Maintenance

Another important step in four wheeler safety concerns the state of your ATV itself. You should keep your ATV on a regular maintenance schedule, whether that means taking it in to a service department or performing repairs yourself if you know what you’re doing. Before each ride, inspect your ATV for any damage, check the tire pressure and tread wear, top up fuel and fluids and make sure everything seems to be in good working order. A little prep work now goes a long way towards ensuring your ride is smooth and incident-free. You should keep a small tool kit on board your ATV to perform minor repairs when you’re off-roading, too.

Follow The Rules

As when riding any motorized vehicle, you should follow some common sense practices to keep yourself and those around you safe. Never drink alcohol or use recreational drugs before operating your four wheeler, as heavy machinery and intoxication is a recipe for disaster no matter what. You want your focus sharp and your mind clear so you can react quickly to obstacles in your path. Slow down around campsites so you’re not disturbing others and look out for animals and hikers using the same areas as you. Ride during good weather and in daylight hours so your visibility is good. If you’re riding in a new area, look it up on a map beforehand and ride cautiously when you don’t know what’s around the bend. Don’t take undue risks or try to impress others when you’re only going to put yourself in danger.

If you find that your ATV needs parts or service, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our maintenance department so we can get it fixed up before your next ride. When you’re ready to check out some great new and used ATVs, come down to our showroom to see the models we have in stock. America’s Motor Sports Dickson serves the cities of Clarksville and Columbia, Tennessee, as well as Huntsville, Alabama.