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Driving on Forest Roads
Consider these factors when driving forest roads:
 | Road width: Forest Service roads, as a minimum, provide 12 feet of driving surface and are classed as single-lane with turnouts. There are few places to readily park or turn around. |
| Grade: Grades vary from 3 to 15 percent with a few to 18 percent. Extreme grades cause difficulty in stopping and controlling a vehicle. |
| Surface: Most Forests have a variety of road surfaces. Dirt roads are the most dangerous because they are often deeply rutted and dusty. When wet, they become slick. |
| Sight Distance: Blind curves, foliage, dust, sunlight flickering through the forest canopy all affect a driver's sight distance. The ability to see or be seen is greatly reduced when following, passing, or approaching other vehicles on the road. When coming out of deep shade and facing directly into the sun, it can take as long as 10 seconds for eyes to adjust. |
| Other Road Users: Forest Service road users vary from those driving heavy industrial equipment to those driving sports cars and motorcycles. Few of them drive on the extreme right side of the road and often cut corners and disregard recommended speeds for particular hazards. |
| Defensive Driving: The only defense against vehicle accidents and near misses is to learn to recognize hazards and the defenses against them. Drive defensively. |
| Drive Slowly: The only way a driver can reduce impact or increase reaction time is to drive slowly. Drive at a speed that permits full control of the vehicle. Use compression and gravity to slow the vehicle going uphill, and compression and low gear ratios going downhill. If you have to ride the brakes, you are in the wrong gear. |
| Keep Right: This is difficult because tracking surfaces and berms make it easier to travel the center of the road. Driving on the right affords the driver the greatest protection from head-on collisions. |
| Keep Alert: A driver must keep his mind alert to the multiple hazards of the road. This means keeping conversation to a minimum and eliminating distractions. Proper rest is the key to alertness. |
| Use Headlights: Drive with headlights on at all times on Forest Service roads. |
| Keep Windshields and Headlights Clean: Increase your chances to see and be seen by regularly cleaning the windshield, mirrors, headlights, and taillights. Do this often, even if it means making an unscheduled stop. |
| Sound Horn on Blind Corners: Even if a driver cannot be seen, there is always the chance of being heard. A 4- or 5- second blast may be all an approaching driver needs to bring his attention to a blind curve ahead. |
| Allow Following Distances: This is especially critical in dusty conditions. When dust or smoke limit visibility, slow down. When following another vehicle, stay 1 turnout behind. |
| Parking: Park vehicles in locations that do not impede traffic flow. Give first consideration to parking in a spot where the vehicle does not have to be backed up. If in doubt about the selected parting spot, get out and walk through it. Look for holes, rocks, or other debris that could damage tires or undercarriage. If there is any slope to the ground, chock tires. Before getting into the vehicle, walk around it to verify that there is no obstructions underneath. Never make a U-turn at blind corners or back into traffic without a guide. |
| Vehicle Condition and Suitability: Check the condition of the brakes before moving the vehicle. Wheel lug nuts are often overlooked; check them for tightness (daily on vehicles with dual rear wheels and monthly on other vehicles). Turning Around: When turning around, select a wide spot with a view of at least 500 feet in each direction. Back rear of the vehicle toward the cutback. Avoid putting the front wheel too far out on the fill slope edge of the road. |