This episode of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s “Riding Shotgun” series took us from the trails to the training grounds. Kim Jackson, AZGFD’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Safety Education Manager, spoke to the importance of proper OHV safety training with Michael Colaianni, the Public Affairs and Media Relations Director for AZGFD.
Jackson’s role as an educator includes course setup, grading, liability management, equipment preparation, and hands-on training at AZGFD’s OHV training grounds in Phoenix.
Dedicated to promoting responsible off-highway recreation, Jackson emphasizes safety, properly fitted gear, and environmental awareness in every session. To her, it’s personal: she grew up on the border of Arizona and Nevada, where she rode a dirt bike to her eighth-grade graduation. Off-highway driving is in her blood.
In this second episode of “Riding Shotgun,” Jackson demonstrated the features of the training grounds as she and Colaianni took a drive around the facility: the terrain included water-crossing simulations, boulder-field practice areas, and steep inclines to practice uphill and downhill driving in a controlled environment.
Teaching the next generation, Jackson said, is her reason to get out of bed every morning. When it comes to the sport’s future for safe and resilient OHV driving, “Teach ’em young,” Colaianni said.
Jackson emphasized that modeling safe driving makes all the difference in teaching kids to drive off-highway: “It’s so rewarding seeing the light turn on when you’ve taught them something new.”
That education extends to older and new drivers, too. When asked what she considers the most common mistakes made by beginners, Jackson answered swiftly: “Speed and seatbelts.” Going full throttle without a seatbelt is the top mistake someone can make, she explained. These high-powered machines are easy to underestimate and cause an accident.
It starts with cementing safety practices early on in life, and modeling that good behavior for younger or newer drivers. Just like helmets. “Helmets aren’t required for adults,” Jackson said, “but they sure are a good idea.”
AZGFD provides more insight into OHV rules and regulations on their website, including where to get the required Arizona OHV decal.
Jackson provided her list of best general safety tips for new OHV drivers. Here are a few highlights:
- Do a pre-check: Your air pressure, lug nuts, oil level, and air filter are all areas to check to ensure you don’t break down on the trail.
- Bring a tool kit for repairs.
- Wearing proper clothing (including a helmet and gloves) will keep you safe from sunburn, dust, and items kicked up by tires.
- Wearing seatbelts saves lives.
- Bring a first-aid kit large enough for your group.
- Having a puncture kit for flat tires can save you time and heartache.
- Drive with your lights on: It helps to keep everyone in the group in sight.
- Let passing groups know how many are in your party with simple hand signals.
Jackson’s advice boiled down to this: think about the other people with you, and be a leader in respect, conservation, and safety.
She shared that Arizona Game and Fish not only provides YouTube videos on how to recreate off-highway safely, but also hosts hands-on training programs.
For more education and safety tips for your next OHV trip, visit the AZGFD website.
