When you drive over obstacles or rough terrain, keep a
firm
grip on the steering wheel. Ruts, troughs or other
surface features can jerk the wheel out of your hands if
you’re not prepared.
When you drive over bumps, rocks, or other obstacles,
your wheels can leave the ground.
If
this happens, even
with one or two wheels, you can’t control the vehicle as
well or at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it’s
especially important to avoid sudden acceleration,
sudden turns or sudden braking.
Driving
on
Off-Road
Hills
Off-road driving often takes you up, down
or
across a
hill. Driving safely on hills requires good judgment and
an understanding of what your vehicle can and can’t do.
There
are
some hills that simply can’t be driven, no
matter how well built the vehicle.
In a way, off-road driving requires a different kind
of
alertness from driving on paved roads and highways.
There are no road signs, posted speed
limits
or
signal
lights.
You
have to use your own good judgment about
what is safe and what isn’t.
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on any
road. And this is certainly true for off-road driving.
At
the very time you need special alertness and driving
skills, your reflexes, perceptions and judgment can be
affected by even a small amount
of
alcohol.
You
could
have
a
serious
--
or even fatal
--
accident
if
you drink
and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking.
See “Drunken Driving” in the Index.
Many hills are simply too steep for any vehicle.
If
you drive up them, you will stall. If you drive
down them, you can’t control your speed. If you
drive across them, you will roll over.
You
could be
seriously injured or killed. If you have any doubt
about the steepness, don’t drive the hill.
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