Daily commuters will convert to recreational off-highway vehicle enthusiasts this Labor Day weekend as American drivers turn off of the pavement to enjoy the outdoors. ROHVA wants all drivers to act responsibly and follow the ROV Safety Rules, to keep themselves and their passengers as safe as possible.
“Labor Day weekend is considered by many as the heart of the off-road season, and thousands of enthusiasts across the country will operate their ROVs on all types of terrain,” said Paul Vitrano, executive vice president of the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association. “We encourage all drivers to enjoy their ROVs while following our suggested safety rules and environment preservation tips, which can be found by visiting us online at www.rohva.org.”
A recent study of ROV crashes revealed at least one risky behavior, warned against in operator manuals, was present in 98 percent of crashes. These warned-against behaviors include doing stunts, riding at excessive speeds, riding on paved roads, using alcohol or drugs while driving, improper seating of passengers, failing to wear a helmet and failing to wear a seat belt.
The study also found that 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 should not operate an ROV.
The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association urges ROV enthusiasts to follow the ROV Safety Rules this Labor Day weekend to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and everyone else.
Sometimes referred to as side-by-sides or utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), ROVs are motorized off-road vehicles designed to travel on four or more non-highway tires, with a steering wheel, non-straddle seating, seat belts, an occupant-protective structure, and engine displacement up to 1,000cc. Current models are designed with seats for a driver and one or more passengers. ROVs are used for a variety of outdoor recreational activities as well as many work applications.
ROHVA
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, Polaris and Yamaha. For more information visit www.rohva.org.