No matter how much experience you have while off-roading or the kind of vehicle you are driving – whether it be a motorcycle, ATV, car, or truck – if you aren’t prepared and cautious, then you can find yourself in some serious danger. Below we’ll discuss general considerations to stay safe while off-roading, in the hopes that they help make your awesome adventure even better.

Inspect Your Vehicle Before Heading Out

Before you embark on your off-road adventure, make sure your vehicle is ready for the trip. Check all of the fluids, as well as tire pressure and tread. Make sure that your car will be able to handle the trails and terrain you plan to take it through by researching your destination beforehand. If your car has been modified for off-roading, inspect it carefully before driving to ensure that everything is tight and not loose or prone to falling off.

Wear the Right Gear and Bring the Right Equipment

When you go off-roading, safety should always be your number one priority. Make sure that drivers and passengers alike are wearing helmets and other protective gear such as goggles when driving through the woods or on uneven terrain.

In addition to protective gear, it’s important to bring along tools like a jack, can-am defender accessories, tire iron, tow rope, and jumper cables in case something goes wrong while out in nature or on an adventure far from civilization.

Avoid Axle Deep Water

While it may be fun to splash around in the mud and take your car through the water, you need to make sure that you don’t get yourself into any trouble. If your axles get submerged in water, this can cause serious damage to both your engine and transmission. It can also cause water damage to any electrical systems inside the vehicle.

Stay on Marked Trails

As tempting as it is to explore beyond the trails, there are many dangers associated with doing so. It’s easy to get lost, and unmarked paths can lead to very rough terrain. You might even find yourself on someone else’s property without realizing it.

Make Sure you Have an Emergency Plan

If you’re out in the middle of nowhere and your vehicle gets stuck, you need to know what you’ll do. Do you have a satellite phone? Do you have extra food, water, and warm clothes? Have you told anyone where you’re going and when they should expect to hear from you again? Planning for the worst will help ensure that it doesn’t happen.

The best way to stay safe while off-roading is to be mindful of the situation. The more aware you are of your environment, the better you’ll be able to react in an emergency. Since accidents can happen at any time, it’s a good idea to plan ahead.