Irvine, CA (7/2/2014)
- Fourth of
July weekend: the ideal time to
head out to the sand dunes or the trails to
drive ROVs, also known as
side-by-sides. The Recreational Off-
Highway Vehicle Association and the
nations major ROV manufacturers and
distributors aim to prevent
ROV-related crashes and injuries by
encouraging operators to drive safely
and responsibly.
ROVs can be a great way to enjoy the
outdoors with family and friends, but
its important to follow
ROHVs Safety
Rules every time
you get into an ROV, and the
Fourth of July is no different, said ROHVA
President Tim Buche. Educating
and training ROV drivers how to stay safe is
an ongoing effort by ROHVA.
Dealers, enthusiasts and media nationwide can
help by putting the safety
rules in front of drivers by embedding ROHVAs Safety Rules graphics on
their websites and posting them on social
media.
The ROHVs Safety Rules graphics can be
downloaded from the library on rohva.org.
ROV drivers are urged to practice safe
driving to keep themselves and their
passengers safe. The best way to stay safe is
by following ROHVA's Safety
Rules demonstrated in this video ROV Safety Rules
- Always fasten your seat belt, wear a
helmet and other protective gear
and keep all parts of your body inside the
ROV.
- Avoid paved surfaces. ROVs are designed to
be operated off-highway.
- Drive only in designated areas, at a safe
speed, and use care when
turning and crossing slopes.
- Never drive or ride under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
- Never drive an ROV unless you're 16 or
older and have a valid driver's
license. ROVs are not toys.
- Never carry more passengers than the ROV
is designed for, and never
allow a passenger who is too small to sit in
a passenger seat to ride in
the ROV.
- Read and follow the operator's manual and
warning labels.
- Take a hands-on ROV Basic DriverCourse and
the free online E-Course. Visit rohva.org or call 866.267.2751.
ROHVs ROV Basic DriverCourse allows
drivers to get behind the wheel for
approximately three hours to learn skills
crucial for being safe in an ROV.
A certified ROHVA DriverCoach guides students
through hands-on driving
exercises and encourages them to engage in
group discussions between
exercises. The course includes six closed-
range exercises and up to seven
optional open trail experiences, depending on
the terrain available.
Completing the Basic DriverCourse is the
best way to learn and improve
your ROV driving skills, said Buche. In
addition to the DriverCourse, the
free, interactive E-Course at rohva.org is a
great
resource to use before heading out on Fourth
of July weekend. The E-Course
is ideal for first-time ROV drivers to learn
proper safety precautions or
for experienced drivers to refresh their
skills and safe driving habits.
The two-hour E-Course is intended to improve
awareness about ROVs and
motivate a safety-minded approach to off-road
recreation. Users can take
the E-Course at their leisure. They have the
ability to pause the course at
any time, save their progress, and continue
where they left off at a later
time.
