Beginners Guide
Student Booklet Sample
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Defensive Driving
Always be alert of potential danger. Your helmet and
engine noise can impair your hearing. Visibility is also reduced in night
driving. Never assume what another riders will do. Do all that you can to ensure
your safety and that of other riders. Expect the unexpected!
Watch Out
- Road and railway crossings
- Logging/Forestry operations
- Trees and branches on the trail
- Bridges and approaches
- Wildlife and domestic animals
- Other trail users (bikes, hikers )
- Oncoming vehicles
- Unexpected corners, intersections and stops
Don't Drink and Ride
1. Riding an ATV requires alertness, caution and
attention. Your reaction time and ability to control your wheeler can be
drastically affected after consuming even small amounts of alcohol. Alcohol can
affect perception, reaction time, and response to unexpected situations. Alcohol
is involved in the majority of ATV fatalities.
2. Alcohol increases your susceptibility to cold and
hypothermia. ATV'ers often have access to remote locations miles away from help.
If a situation should occur where help is needed, your chances of survival and
treatment of injury can be greatly affected. Don't let alcohol be a contributing
factor to your fate.
Think ahead
Remember, it's you, the safe rider, that makes
ATV'ing safe. Many problems can be avoided by using common sense. Minor problems
can be overcome by carrying a useful tool kit, spare parts, flashlight,
first-aid kit, and a few survival items such as high-energy food, fire-starting
equipment and a compass. Always let someone know where you are going.
Take it easy and bring a friend
Today's ATV is a mechanical marvel. It provides
inspiring performance, reliability and pleasing aesthetics, combined with
essential safety components. Safe riders ride within the limits of their machine
and their abilities. Remember, speed is not the measure of ATV'ing fun. You
should always ride at a speed in which you can safely stop. Slow down and enjoy
the scenery and the experience. Ease up on the throttle - especially when near
other machines, people, trees, animals and other objects. It's good sense. Don't
ATV alone. Not only are wheelers more fun with family and friends, it's safe
too.
Trail Etiquette
- You will be sharing the trail with other users no
matter where you ride. It's your responsibility how you keep the trail safe for
everyone.
- Stay to the right side of the trail at all times.
- When you meet oncoming traffic, slow down and give
them as much room as possible. Always use hand signals.
- Remember - ATV'ing is a family sport.
- There are always kids or less experienced people on
the trails. You can't take for granted that people will do the right thing.
Night Riding
Forward visibility is reduced by darkness and it is
much more difficult to spot and identify potential hazards in time. Overdriving
headlights can also be a serious problem, so slow down when riding after dark.
Becoming disoriented or lost is much more likely at night. Ride with individuals
familiar with the area.
Always wear outer clothing with reflective trim on the arms, back and helmet.
Never ride alone at night. Always dress in your ATV'ing outfit even if your
intended destination is just next door.
Be certain that all lights are operational and keep in mind that hand signals
become increasingly more difficult to see as darkness sets in.
Hypothermia
This is the lowering of the body's core temperature.
It can happen in water or on land. Hypothermia does not require extreme cold and
accelerates with wind and wetness. Dressing warmly in water resistant layers
helps, but if immersed, quickly replace wet clothes, keep moving to generate
body heat, and find immediate shelter and warmth.
Wind Chill
Wind chill is lower temperature caused by wind
and/or the forward momentum of a fast moving wheeler. Wind chill exposes you to
severe cold which in turn can cause hypothermia. Wind-proof outer garments,
extra layers and a balaclava will offer some protection, but keep your face
shield down to prevent wind burn and to protect your skin and eyes.
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