All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) are more than just modes of transportation. An ATV is more about spending leisure time than getting from one place to the next. Many people envision only three and four wheelers when they think of ATV’s but there are those with more traditional seating arrangements. The one commonality between all  ATV’s is the ability to tread across rough terrain. However, even these rugged machines must be drive carefully. This is especially true when the road conditions are poor. 

Driving on Different Terrain

Most surfaces are fine for driving an ATV, but one must be careful when trekking through wooded areas. There are many sticks and rocks which can topple the vehicle or jostle the rider/driver. Even in a four-seat UTV, a large rock can severely damage the vehicle’s undercarriage. These obstacles are often concealed by fallen foliage and pine needles. It’s best to drive slowly and search for established paths. Another treacherous surface is gravel. It’s very difficult for the tires to gain a purchase as the individual rocks skid across the ground.  It’s best to ride slowly across gravel surfaces and never make any sudden turns. The most dangerous of all the terrain is ice, because it poses multiple threats. The risk of hydroplaning is always immanent when crossing ice so it’s best to drive slowly. You should also avoid ice in unfamiliar areas. Whenever ice is present there may also be water. A seemingly harmless patch of ice might actually be concealing a deep puddle. If the temperature is in the low thirties, the ice can shatter and expose the vehicle, driver/rider and passengers to frigid waters.