E-Course and Behind-the-Wheel Range and Trail Training Recommended

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 28, 2013 – The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association is reminding ROV enthusiasts to drive safely and responsibly this Labor Day weekend. ROHVA encourages enthusiasts to practice smart driving throughout the year and to be especially careful during holidays and vacations when trails and other riding areas tend to become much busier.

“Labor Day weekend is a popular holiday with ROV enthusiasts and we strongly encourage them all to drive safely, respect other land-users, and preserve the environment while enjoying themselves,” said ROHVA Executive Vice President Paul Vitrano. “ROHVA’s free online E-Course is an excellent safety refresher that can benefit anyone right away, and all you need is Internet access. ROHVA provides a great deal of information online, plus the hands-on training, to help drivers get the most out of their machines in a safe way.”

ROHVA recommends that enthusiasts of all skill levels take the interactive E-Course, the hands-on ROV Basic DriverCourseSM and the Open Trail Experience. The behind-the-wheel ROV Basic DriverCourse, which includes the E-Course, features two and a half hours of closed-range driving exercises with a certified ROHVA DriverCoach. It’s an introduction to ROV driving. Many training sites also offer Open Trail Experiences, which take drivers out onto the trails for real world challenges, from climbing hills and clearing obstacles to dealing with sand, rocks and water crossings.

Throughout its training system, ROHVA reinforces safe driving tactics and examines the dangers of improper ROV use while encouraging drivers to make better decisions. Drivers are invited to visit www.rohva.org to log on to the E-Course and find the nearest training provider.

Click here to look at ROHVA training courses.

A study of ROV incidents found that 98 percent of ROV crashes involved at least one of the warned-against behaviors listed in ROV operator manuals, with failure to fasten seatbelts or wear a helmet being the most frequent. Also, 23 percent of crashes involved drivers who were too young to be behind the wheel. ROHVA recommends that anyone under the age of 16, or without a driver’s license, should not operate an ROV. ROHVA also urges all ROV drivers to follow its eight key rules to help ensure their own safety and that of passengers and other trail users.

ROVHA Safety Rules

1. Always fasten your seat belt, wear a helmet and other protective gear and keep all parts of your body inside the ROV.
2. Avoid paved surfaces. ROVs are designed to be operated off-highway.
3. Drive only in designated areas, at a safe speed, and use care when turning and crossing slopes.
4. Never drive or ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
5. Never drive an ROV unless you’re 16 or older and have a valid driver’s license. ROVs are not toys.
6. 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.
7. Read and follow the operator’s manual and warning labels.
8. Take a hands-on ROV Basic DriverCourseSM 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.