Riding your UTV or ATV is an exhilarating experience. While these two machines offer exciting thrills, it is important to keep safety in mind. UTVs and ATVs offer similar experiences; however, one is safer than the other.

Which is safer to ride? Continue reading to find out more.

All-Terrain Vehicles vs. Utility Task Vehicles

ATVs, also known as quads or 4-wheelers, are typically more dangerous than UTVs. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 264 deaths in 2018 in the United States due to ATV accidents. While that number is down from previous years, it is still surprisingly high for outdoor activity.

Several factors make ATVs more dangerous than UTVs:

• The center of gravity varies greatly between ATVs and UTVs. UTVs are much wider than ATVs; some are more than twice the width! Say a UTV and an ATV went around the same corner at high speeds, an ATV would likely rollover, whereas the UTV would probably make the turn without rolling.
  
  
• If a UTV were to roll, it has many safety features that aid in keeping riders safe. ATVs leave you exposed while UTVs are somewhat enclosed. ATVs do not have the same safety features that UTVs have. This includes doors, windshields, seat belts, and roll bars.
  
  
• In addition to lacking safety features, ATVs are faster and lighter. ATVs only weigh several hundred pounds, whereas UTVs typically weigh over a thousand pounds. This means that ATVs can reach higher speeds and get to those high speeds quickly, thus leading to more accidents, especially when an amateur or beginner is behind the wheel.
  
  
• Another reason ATVs are more dangerous than UTVs is because riders find ATVs to be more adventurous and exciting than UTVs. While it sounds silly, riders, especially younger riders, find ATVs to be “cooler” and more appealing than other machines. More people are riding ATVs, which means there are more accidents on ATVs than on UTVs. Moreover, ATV riders tend to be a bit wild on these machines simply because ATVs can handle it (until they can’t).

Safety Equipment

Whether you are riding a UTV or an ATV, whether you are the driver or a passenger, you should take the proper precautions to help ensure your safety and the safety of others. Every single time you go adventuring in your UTV or ATV, you should:

• Wear protective gear like helmets, gloves, goggles, boots, and clothing.
• Whenever possible, utilize safety gear and features like an engine kill switch, whip flags, seatbelts, and windshields.
• And most of all, be aware. Each rider, passengers and driver, should keep their eyes peeled and on the road ahead. 

Contact TerraRider UTV Windshields

Safety needs to be your number one priority when taking your UTV out for a spin. Get your UTV safety-ready with the aftermarket windshields and accessories from TerraRider UTV Windshields. You can find everything you need to make sure your UTV is as safe as possible, at our online shop. Contact the experts at TerraRider UTV Windshields with any questions today.