Safety and Preparedness

For legal requirements, please go to Laws and Safety.

Key points to ensure your safety while recreating in the SVRAs:

Tell a responsible person where you are going (in detail) and when you will return. Ask that person to notify local law enforcement if you do not return on time.
At a minimum, you should consider taking and using the following safety equipment: protective clothing, helmet, goggles, gloves, seatbelts, (4WDs and dune buggys), first-aid kit, map, matches, and a signal mirror. If you own a cellular phone, take it with you.
Make sure you have enough fuel (2-cycle oil if required) and drinking water for the round trip. Drinking water can be more important than fuel in the desert.
When in the desert, consider staying with your vehicle if it is disabled rather than setting off on your own for help.
Avoid driving or stopping in tall grass or brush or where natural fuels come in contact with hot vehicle parts. Stop only in cleared areas.

Practice Safe Road Habits

Drive with courtesy. Be prepared to yield the right of way anytime there is doubt and you can safely do so.
Stay to the right side of the road or trails.
Approach curves and hill crests with caution. Assume there are vehicles ahead and slow accordingly.
Don't go down a trail you haven't been up first. If you don't like what you find, you may not be able to go back up.
Go with a friend. Two heads and two vehicles are better than one.
Allow extra room and stopping distance when approaching other vehicles, especially youngsters, who may be less experienced.


Safety and Preparedness For legal requirements, please go to Laws and Safety. Key points to ensure your safety while recreating in the SVRAs: Tell a responsible person where you are going (in detail) and when you will return. Ask that person to notify local law enforcement if you do not return on time. At a minimum, you should consider taking and using the following safety equipment: protective clothing, helmet, goggles, gloves, seatbelts, (4WDs and dune buggys), first-aid kit, map, matches, and a signal mirror. If you own a cellular phone, take it with you. Make sure you have enough fuel (2-cycle oil if required) and drinking water for the round trip. Drinking water can be more important than fuel in the desert. When in the desert, consider staying with your vehicle if it is disabled rather than setting off on your own for help. Avoid driving or stopping in tall grass or brush or where natural fuels come in contact with hot vehicle parts. Stop only in cleared areas. Practice Safe Road Habits Drive with courtesy. Be prepared to yield the right of way anytime there is doubt and you can safely do so. Stay to the right side of the road or trails. Approach curves and hill crests with caution. Assume there are vehicles ahead and slow accordingly. Don't go down a trail you haven't been up first. If you don't like what you find, you may not be able to go back up. Go with a friend. Two heads and two vehicles are better than one. Allow extra room and stopping distance when approaching other vehicles, especially youngsters, who may be less experienced.