| When you think about driving a dune buggy, chances | | | | slammed into the frame of your buggy. |
| are you think about fun. You think about being | | | | " Sand dunes exist to protect the land from storms. |
| off-road, perhaps on a beach driving along the | | | | Plants are the building blocks of sand dunes, and they |
| coastline and through the dunes. Maybe you think | | | | are easily killed by any vehicle. Drive between the |
| about warm spring afternoons and hot summer days | | | | sand dunes only-never drive or park on top of any |
| spent in the sunshine, driving along with a friend or | | | | sand dunes. |
| two, through some grasslands and countryside. | | | | " Every year, lots of eggs and chicks of shorebirds |
| All of that is well and good; however, many dune | | | | that nest in the soft sand near the shoreline are |
| buggy drivers do not always put a lot of thought into | | | | crushed and killed. Stay on the harder sand so as to |
| being safe with their dune buggy driving. Every year, | | | | avoid these shorebird nests. Additionally, avoid driving |
| there are people who come into emergency rooms | | | | near any flocks of birds on the beach-or any other |
| due to dune buggy-related accidents. These people | | | | animals on the beach, for that matter. Driving away |
| are either the drivers and riders in the buggies-or | | | | from the shore will also mean that you will avoid |
| they may be innocent bystanders who just happen | | | | shellfish beds that are near the water. |
| to be near where the dune buggy was being driven. | | | | " When you are driving on a beach, take care to |
| In order to try to avoid any possible misfortunes | | | | stay on vehicle routes. Not only will this help you to |
| when you are out having fun in your dune buggy, | | | | avoid the sand dunes, shorebirds, and shellfish, but it |
| keep these driving tips in mind: | | | | will also help you to steer clear of any pedestrians |
| " Remember that dune buggies are legal road vehicles | | | | who may be using the beach. |
| and must be treated as such. Whenever there is | | | | " Do not make any sharp turns at any type of high |
| even a slight possibility that other vehicles may be | | | | speed, as this can easily cause your dune buggy to |
| around, drive defensively-assume that the other | | | | tip over. This can happen on just about any type of |
| vehicles cannot see your dune buggy. This is because | | | | terrain on which you may be driving. |
| dune buggies are low to the ground and are often | | | | " Even though you may be driving a lot more slowly |
| invisible to other drivers, especially around corners. | | | | in your dune buggy, drinking and driving is never |
| " Wear seatbelts at all times in your dune buggy. You | | | | acceptable. You are still in control of a motor vehicle, |
| never know when you might have to slam on the | | | | so if you have had anything to drink, don't get behind |
| brakes, and you don't want to have your body | | | | the wheel at all. |