If you're an adventurer who loves the increasingly popular sport of off-road driving, take heed in these tips to protect the environment from unintentional misuse of off-highway vehicles.

• Avoid mud if you can while remaining on the road or trail. If you can't, use low gearing and just enough throttle to maintain forward movement.
  

• Cross streams slowly, at a 90-degree angle and only at designated trail fording points. This will help minimize stream bed damage and will help keep water out of the engine's air intake.
  

• Avoid slide slipping, which can start a rut, ultimately leading to erosion.
  

• Yield the right of way for drivers on the uphill grade or overtaking you.
  

• Straddle ruts, even if they are wider than your vehicle. This will keep your vehicle level.
                                                         -- provided by Tread Lightly!