Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful
off-road driving. One of the best ways to control your
vehicle is to control
your
speed. Here are some things to
keep in mind. At higher speeds:
you
approach things faster and you have less time to
scan the terrain, for obstacles.
0
you have less time to react.
0
you
have more vehicle bounce when you drive
over obstacles.
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you’ll need more distance for braking, especially
since you’re on an unpaved surface.
Traveling
to
Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going
to
a
remote area. Know the terrain and plan your route.
You
are
much less likely to get bad surprises. Get
accurate maps of trails and terrain. Try
to
learn of any
blocked or closed roads.
It’s also a good idea to travel with at least one other
vehicle. If something happens to one of them,
the
other
can help quickly.
Does your vehicle have a winch? If
so,
be sure to read
the winch instructions. In a remote area, a winch can be
handy
if
you
get stuck. But
you’ll
want to know how to
use it properly.
Getting Familiar with
Off-Road
Driving
It’s
a
good idea to practice in an area that’s safe and
close
to
home before you go into the wilderness.
Off-road driving does require some new and different
driving skills. Here’s what we mean.
Tune your senses to different kinds
of
signals. Your
eyes, for example, need
to
constantly sweep the terrain
for unexpected obstacles, Your ears need to listen for
unusual tire or engine sounds. With your arms, hands,
feet and body, you’ll need
to
respond to vibrations and
vehicle bounce.
4-16
When you’re driving off-road, bouncing and
quick changes in direction
can
easily throw you
out
of
position. This could cause you to lose
control and crash.
So,
whether you’re driving on
or
off
the road, you and your passengers should
wear safety belts.
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