Offroading Safety Tips - Safe Driving on the Trail

Have you ever seen someone on a 4x4 trail grabbing the roll cage or roof of the vehicle in an attempt to feel more secure? I have, plenty of times, and it never gets any easier to watch. There are so many safety hazards to this practice that it deserves its own article. So here it is.

It is no secret that driving a 4x4 on an off-road trail isn't always the safest way to spend a weekend. Slamming into trees and rocks, extreme angles, and rollovers are commonplace in the world of trail enthusiasts. This is why you'll find the seasoned veterans of the sport implementing roll cages and as little sheet metal as possible to damage and weigh the rig down.

Greenhorns of the 4x4 world, however, may not know the limits of their rig or their own driving abilities, and can easily push the limits a bit too far. Bumping into things and flopping over is an every day risk for many off-road lovers, but to have ANY body part outside of the rig, or in a place where it can get broken, crushed and possibly even severed is unacceptable, and for obvious reasons.

If you have a roll cage installed in your rig, be sure to add grab-handles in front of or just beside each passenger seat. If you plan on regularly being in situations that may end in a roll over or severe body damage, consider replacing the stock seat belts with a full racing style harness as well. This will keep your body from being thrown around so violently should your rig go rubber-side up. They are also designed not to lock passengers in so badly if the vehicle is upside-down, as they have quick-release connectors which allow a speedy exit of the dangerous situation.

A person in the habit of grabbing the cage when the rig gets tipsy is in danger. Never ever grab the outer part of any roll cage tube while the rig is moving. If it goes over and someone is grabbing the top or side bar, the chances of mangling or losing a hand are very great. If you find a rollover is unavoidable, the driver should keep his hands on the wheel or grab the harness straps across their chest and pull down, locking their body in place for the duration of the flop. Passengers should grab the racing harness or the seat if it is equipped with grip holes or handles.

Sticking arms or legs outside of the 4x4 is equally dangerous and should never be done while moving. If an occupant of the vehicle gets an appendage caught between the rig and a rock or tree, severe cuts or a broken bone is to be expected, at the very least. If the rig is highly modified and has no top or doors, the first instinct may be to grab the roof or top of the cage when tipping over to secure yourself when the rig wants to lean - DO NOT DO THIS! Whether you are in a truck, SUV, off-road buggy or any other trail vehicle, it is absolutely imperative that you put every effort into keeping INSIDE the passenger compartment at ALL times. Nothing good ever happened to someone getting an arm or leg outside a rig making contact with Mother Nature or flopping over completely.