Staying safe while riding UTVs around Yuma County
Adrik Vargas
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As temperatures cool in Yuma, more utility terrain vehicles, or UTVs, are showing up on both the dunes and city roads. They are fun to drive, but police and experts say there are rules drivers need to know before heading out.
In Arizona, UTV’s must be registered, insured, and equipped with street-legal features like headlights, taillights, and reflectors. Drivers also need a valid license.
To ride an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) in Arizona, you must register your vehicle and display an OHV decal, which requires completing a free safety course on AZ MVD Now. If the vehicle does not have a windshield, safety glasses are also required.
Yuma Police Public Information Officer Lori Franklin says one of the biggest mistakes people make is skipping the seatbelt.
“Even if you’re going from point A to point B and it may be a mile or less than that, always put that seatbelt on,” Franklin said. “They can roll easily.”
Officers also remind drivers that UTVs on city streets are held to the same traffic laws as any other vehicle. That means following the speed limit, using turn signals, and keeping music low enough to hear what is happening around you.
Lee Larson with Liberty Motorsports says planning ahead makes all the difference.
“You want to be aware of your surroundings and the environment that you’re going to be in,” Larson said. “Any weather concerns, any special routing, any possible need for emergency communication. It’s always nice to think ahead.”
Larson also recommends proper gear, especially in the Sonoran Desert. That includes a helmet, eye protection, gloves, boots, and long pants.
With cooler weather arriving, more people will be taking their UTVs out for a spin.
Officers say the key is to enjoy the ride while remembering that driving a UTV on the street comes with the same responsibilities as driving any other vehicle.