Safety Tips for Off-Roading in the Desert
One of the best things about visiting a desert is the opportunity for off-roading. Driving up and down sand dunes offers exhilaration you might not find elsewhere. Even though it may look easy to speed over dunes, there are some techniques to master to ensure you remain safe and have a good time.
Check out these safety tips for off-roading in the desert.
Driving Safely on Sand
First off, make sure you’re off-roading safely in sand. Sand has a lot less traction than pavement or even soil so there are a few things you’ll have to keep in mind to drive safely. For example, reduce your tire pressure and refrain from making sharp turns, especially while ascending and descending.
Mark Your Vehicle
Mark your vehicle when you’re off-roading in the desert. It’s important that other vehicles can see you as you traverse the dunes. The mark doesn’t need to be extravagant; something like a simple but brightly colored flag that extends high above your truck should be sufficient.
Wear Sunglasses
If you’ve ever driven on a sunny day without shades, you know how hard navigation can be. Well, it’s even worse in the desert. The glare will make it difficult to see, so bring a polarized pair of sunglasses so you’re not blinded by the sun. Although sunglasses may seem like an inconsequential item to forget to bring, doing so could lead to an accident.
Don’t Accelerate Aggressively
When you’re climbing a sand dune, it’s crucial that you always maintain a steady speed. Hitting the accelerator too hard can result in you gaining some serious air at the top or speeding too fast on the way downhill. And if you gun your engine, you could end up burying yourself and your car in the sand. It’s best to ease up on the accelerator when climbing up or down dunes.
Have a Shovel
It’s important to bring a shovel along whenever you off-road in the desert. You might need to dig yourself out of worrisome situations. Whenever you go off-roading, you’ll always need tools in case you need to do some repairs, and in the desert, a shovel is a must-have.
Keep these safety tips for off-roading in the desert in mind to have a great time while avoiding any unpleasant circumstances.