As ATVs become increasingly popular on farms, BRP commercial manager, Rachael Turner, has provided a series of tips to keep riders safe.
- Make sure that the loads carried on the racks are secure and evenly balanced and do not exceed the capacity of the ATV (check the manufacturer’s recommendations).
- Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your eyes peeled for any pedestrians, livestock, obstructions or other vehicles.
- Regularly inspect the ATV before use to ensure that it is in good working order.
- Avoid sudden increases in speed as this is one of the common causes of an overturned vehicle.
- Always wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a helmet, boots, long sleeve shirt and trousers when out riding.
- When riding across a slope, keep your weight forward. When going downhill, slide your weight backwards, select a low gear and use engine braking, which leads to the reduction in the need to use the brakes.
- When working a new area, make sure you walk the route before riding through it. This will give you a better perspective of the dangers or obstacles that you could come across.
- You cannot predict the weather, as one minute it could be bright sunshine and the next it could be pouring with rain, so be aware of changes in ground conditions as these could affect the loads you are carrying or the attachments you are pulling.
- Always read the owner’s manual.
BRP, the parent company of Can-Am, runs a responsible rider programme to educate users on safe working with ATVs. For more information go to www.can-am.brp.com