With the explosion of 4WD vehicles and SUVs, more and more people are purchasing and taking their vehicles offroad. This can have a damaging effect on the environment if it is not done responsibly. Lets take a look at how we can minimize the impact to the enviroment while driving offroad.
- Drive only on established trails, never make your own shortcuts or trails.
- Try to drive in the middle of the trail to avoid widening it and destroying vegetation.
- Cross obstacles at an angle whenever possible. Driving around them can destroy vegetation surrounding the trail, so sometimes it's best to drive over them.
- Straddle ruts, gullies and washouts even if they are wider than your vehicle.
- If you can, avoid mud or soft soil while remaining on the road or trail. Mud-bogging can cause lasting damage.
- Don't litter on the trail. Leave the area a little better than how you found it by picking up your trash and others.
- Cross streams only at designated points (usually where the trail crosses the water). Cross slowly and at a 90-degree angle.
- Don't enter private land without permission.