Fancy a change from the family saloon? Try an exhilarating ride in a dune buggy

A dune buggy is a recreational vehicle with large wheels and wide tyres, designed for use on sand dunes or beaches. The design is usually a modified vehicle and engine, mounted on an open chassis. The modifications usually attempt to increase the power to weight ratio by either lightening the vehicle or increasing engine power, or even both.



Initially dune buggies were designed for navigating deserts or beaches. However, dune buggies have since become more diversified in terms of the terrain they can handle and are being built for more generic off road tasks, while some are even built for, and used as, on-road vehicles. Typically, the function is determined before the buggy is created, in order to maximise the comfort or abilities of the vehicle.



Driving a dune buggy can be a lot of fun, but unfortunately many drivers do not always put a lot of thought into being safe with their driving. Every year there are people who come into emergency rooms due to dune buggy related accidents. These people are usually either the drivers, or riders in the buggies, however they may be innocent bystanders who just happen to be in the area where the dune buggy was being driven.



The following safety tips will help you avoid any possible misfortunes when you are out having fun in your dune buggy!



Wear seatbelts at all times in your dune buggy. You never know when you might need to slam on the brakes, and wearing a seatbelt will help prevent your body from being slammed into the frame of your buggy.



Do not make any sharp turns at any type of high speed, as this can easily cause your buggy to tip over. This can happen on most types of terrain on which you may be driving.



Remember that dune buggies are legal road vehicles. Whenever there is even a slight possibility that other vehicles may be around, drive defensively and assume that the other vehicles cannot see your dune buggy. This is because dune buggies are low to the ground and are often invisible to other drivers, especially around corners.



Sand dunes exist to protect the land from storms. Plants are the building blocks of sand dunes, and they are easily killed by any vehicle. Only drive between the sand dunes. Never drive or park on top of any sand dunes.



Dune buggies are legal road vehicles and deserve the same care and attention that you give to your regular car, including a regular service and maintenance, such as a change of tyres and windscreen repair.



Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.