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 cannot control the vehicle as well or at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it is
especially important to avoid sudden acceleration,
sudden turns, or sudden braking.
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
is not.
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 on page 283
.
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 understanding of what your
vehicle can and cannot do. There are some hills
that simply cannot be driven, no matter how
well built the vehicle.
{
CAUTION:
Many hills are simply too steep for any
vehicle. If you drive up them, you will stall.
If you drive down them, you cannot 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, do not drive the hill.
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