ATV/Motorcycle Safety

August 16, 2005

With northern Nevada's beautiful desert terrain, ATV and motorcycle riding has become a very popular activity in the region. Like with any other outdoor adventure sport, there are dangers involved with ATV and motorcycle riding. To help keep participants safe, REMSA would like to share the following tips:

WEAR SAFETY GEAR - Wear a helmet, eye protection and other protective clothing suitable to the environment at all times. Without proper safety equipment you are putting yourself at unnecessary risk. Further, many of the trails require the proper use of safety equipment in order to ride. A helmet, eye protection, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, long sleeve shirts and long pants are all important parts of your safety gear when riding.

NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS - Do not use alcohol or other drugs when you ride. Operating an ATV and motorcycle while drinking or using drugs is not only unsafe, it is illegal.

OBEY THE LAW - Learn the laws in your state and those in the areas you will be riding. Knowledge of the laws will not only help keep you safe but it may help you avoid an expensive ticket or worse.

OBEY THE RULES - Obey posted signs and stay on the trails. The quickest way for you to be banned from most riding areas is to fail to follow the trail rules and signs. Further, venturing from marked trails can result in a rider coming face to face with unexpected obstacles such as ditches, drop offs, cliffs, trees, etc. Not smart and not safe!

WATCH YOUR SPEED - Always ride at a safe and responsible speed. Know your abilities and don't exceed those levels. Riding at excessive speeds not only endangers you but others around you.

NO PASSENGERS - Do not carry passengers on your ATV. Most ATVs and motorcycles are designed for a single rider only. Carrying passengers on an ATV designed for a single rider can upset the balance of the machine and make it more likely to tip or roll over. Some of the newer ATVs and motorcycles are specifically designed for two riders. The wheelbase on these machines is longer. There is a reason for that, safety!

GET TRAINED - Do not let young or inexperienced riders operate ATVs or motorcycles without training and supervision. An ATV and a motorcycle are fun machines to ride. However, they are powerful machines and can get away from inexperienced riders just like a motorcycle or automobile can. You wouldn't let someone drive a car without first having some training. Treat an ATV and motorcycle with the same respect. This is especially true for children.

MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE - Always maintain a safe distance between riders. Tailgating can lead to collisions and injuries just as it does with automobiles on the road. Give the rider in front of you some space. You never know when they will have to stop quickly or turn sharply to avoid an obstacle. This gives you time to react to the obstacle as well.

NEVER RIDE ALONE - Ride with others and let someone know where you are riding. Never ride alone. The same rules apply to many things you do and it should be no different when you are operating your vehicle. You never know when you will need help.

CHECK THE WEATHER - Be informed of local weather conditions. Many of us forget that the weather has a dramatic affect on the trails we ride. Rain makes trails muddy and slick, snow hides obstacles and ice, sun causes burns and dehydration, etc. Dress and equip yourself appropriately for the weather.

KNOW THE AREA YOU RIDE IN - Be aware of a riding areas potential hazards. Are there hidden obstacles on the trails? How deep is that water? How steep is that hill? The better you know the terrain and trails in the area you will be riding the safer you will be. If you don't know the area, find someone who does and ride with them the first few trips. Not only will you be safer but also you will learn the trails quicker.

CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT - Make sure your equipment is in top working order. Do the brakes work? Are my tires properly inflated? Is there any damage to the unit? Check you equipment before you go. The worst time to find out something doesn't work is when you need it.

CARRY A MAP - Carry a map of the trail or area you intend to travel. It is no fun to get lost. Getting lost can result in your trying to navigate areas above your skill level in an attempt to get back. If you can't get a map get a GPS. Most modern GPS's have a "track back" feature that will allow you to retrace your ride and get back to where you started.

RIDE THE RIGHT ATV/MOTORCYCLE - Most manufacturers recommend certain size ATVs or motorcycles for certain ages.

SENSE - If all else fails, ask yourself, should I do this? If the answer is NO or I AM NOT SURE then DON'T do it. You have nothing to prove to anyone. Stay safe to ride another day.

*Information courtesy of the Midwest Trail Riders Association.

To set up an interview with a REMSA representative, please call Scott Walquist at 775.686.2116.

REMSA is a private, not-for-profit emergency medical services system serving northern Nevada. REMSA's state-of-the-art 9-1-1 dispatch communications center is fully accredited, as are all emergency medical transport services of the company. REMSA provides quality patient care with no taxpayer support or other subsidies.

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720