Irvine, Calif. - As the Fourth of July holiday
approaches, the Recreational
Off-Highway Vehicle Association reminds ROV owners that a good way to
celebrate freedom is to do so responsibly. As many enthusiasts take extended
weekends to explore America's
trails, deserts and public lands, ROHVA reminds you to drive safely and enhance
your skills by taking the award-winning ROHVA E-Course and the new
hands-on ROV BasicDriverCourse and Open Trail Experiences.
The free ROHVA E-Course is a multi-media, interactive safety
course available at www.rohva.org.
Safe practices are reinforced and the course examines improper ROV use to help
drivers make the right choices while off-roading. The ROV
Basic DriverCourse includes the E-Course and also incorporates 2.5 hours
of closed-range driving exercises, utilizing both student participatory
discussions and hands-on driving lessons. Many providers also offer up to seven
Open Trail Experiences off the range to educate and challenge drivers of all
experience levels. Visit www.rohva.org to
find a provider near you.
"At ROHVA, our goal is to encourage the safe and responsible
use of ROVs," ROHVA executive vice president Paul Vitrano said. "One of the
many ways we do that is to offer comprehensive instruction that reinforces good
driving habits. By offering both hands-on and online training, ROHVA hopes to
educate as many enthusiasts as possible so that, as they enjoy the Fourth of
July holiday, they can drive safely, respect others, preserve the environment
and make the right choices while having a good time."
A recent study determined that 98 percent of ROV crashes
involved at least one of the warned-against behaviors found in ROV operator
manuals, with failure to fasten seatbelts or wear a helmet being the two most
frequent bad behaviors. Additionally, 23 percent of crashes involved drivers
under the recommended age. ROHVA recommends that anyone under the age of 16, or
without a driver's license, not operate an ROV. ROHVA also urges all ROV
drivers to follow its seven common-sense guidelines to help ensure the safety
of drivers, passengers and everyone else off-road.
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.
The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association is a
national industry organization that promotes the safe and responsible use of
ROVs. ROHVA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
to develop equipment, configuration and performance standards. Based in Irvine, Calif., the
not-for-profit association is sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, John Deere, Kawasaki, Polaris and
Yamaha. For more information visit www.rohva.org.
