ATV Accident Prevention

While ATV riding is exciting, there are always inherent risks. Despite everyone’s best efforts, accidents still occur. However, that is no reason that you should stop riding the trails. The correct behaviors and planning can do a lot to mitigate the risks. Simply follow this advice put together by the experts at Team Winnebagoland Powersports Center, and you will become a safe ATV rider in no time.

Make Yourself Highly Visible

You should always be aware of other ATV riders on the same trail as you. While the roar of their engines will make it obvious that you are not the only one riding a quad, at high speeds, there may not be much time to react if your paths suddenly cross. Try to keep track of where other riders currently are. You should also make sure that they can see you as well by keeping your lights in working order and wearing bright clothing.

Keep Your Quad In Great Condition

A broken or worn-down quad is far more likely to malfunction and cause an accident. Before each ride, get into the habit of inspecting your vehicle. Your checklist should include things like tire pressure and fluid levels, along with any more specialized considerations. Keep up to date about any product recalls related to your model, and do not ride a vehicle that the manufacturer has declared unsafe.

Let Experts Handle Aftermarket Accessory Installation

Upgrading your quad has a lot of potential benefits, including improved performance, better comfort, and other enhancements to your riding experience. However, improperly installed parts can lead to a dangerous malfunction. For safety’s sake, you should leave the installation of the more complicated accessories to the professionals.

Pack A Toolkit

If you detect a maintenance problem while riding, you might be able to fix or at least mitigate the issue with the right parts. Driving on a partial fix is better than driving on no fix at all, so be sure to pack a toolkit. Once you get back to your starting point, you can schedule a service appointment in order to get your ATV properly fixed.

Focus On Maintaining Balance

Many ATV accidents occur when the rider experiences a sudden shift in momentum that they cannot correct. Changes like these often occur on inclines, turns, and sudden stops. Be careful in areas where these features are common, and learn how to shift your body weight to avoid rolling over or flipping.

Avoid Unnecessary Risks

Some situations can increase your risk of suffering an accident. For example, extreme weather can create sudden, unforeseen hazards. Night riding is also risky because reduced visibility means less time to react. Even if trail conditions are perfect, rider conditions like fatigue can increase the odds of an accident occurring. Overall, you should be aware of additional risks while ATV riding and do your best to avoid them.

For more information or to shop ATV models, visit Team Winnebagoland Powersports Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. We also offer parts, trade-ins, and servicing, so visit us for all your powersports needs. We are proud to serve the eastern Wisconsin area, including communities like Green Bay, Wisconsin, so stop on by!