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Side-by-Side Vehicle Safety

A side-by-side is popular because it seats people and carries cargo. It is also fast, heavy and able to roll, so owners benefit from setting rules before the first ride.

What is a side-by-side, and why do farms use them?

A side-by-side is a motorized off-road vehicle with bench or bucket seats, a steering wheel, pedals and a protective frame. People call them UTVs, side-by-sides or ROVs, depending on the model and the region. Farms use them to check fences, move feed, haul tools, spray small areas and carry people across the property.

Because they look and drive somewhat like a small truck, drivers can underestimate them. Different models vary in speed, power and size, so each owner's manual is the best guide.

Many farms keep more than one off-road vehicle, such as an ATV, a tractor and a side-by-side. Each one handles differently, and a driver who is skilled in one can be caught out by another.

What are the main hazards?

Rollover is the best known, but it is not the only one. Occupants can be thrown, struck by the frame or caught by an arm or leg hanging outside. Collisions with fences, gates, trees, equipment and other vehicles happen too, and so do problems with fuel, heat and noise.

NIOSH, university extension programs and farm safety nonprofits track these injuries. Check their current pages for numbers, because they change from year to year.

• Rollover on slopes, in turns and when loaded.
• Occupants not belted or with limbs outside the frame.
• Excess speed on uneven ground.
• Collisions with fixed objects or other vehicles.
• Overloading and unsafe towing.
• Use by children who are too young or untrained.

How should you choose one?

Think about the work, the ground and the people who will use it. A machine built for speed on trails may not be the right pick for hauling feed on hills, and a model with too much power can tempt drivers.

Ask the dealer what safety features are standard, what training is available and what the manufacturer says about the driver age and the number of passengers. Read the labels, not just the brochure.

If you buy a used machine, ask a qualified mechanic to check the frame, brakes, steering and tires.

What habits keep drivers safer?

Belts on, every trip. Speed matched to the ground. A walk-around before each use. Loads kept within the manual's limits, and secured. No passengers in the cargo box. No driving while tired, ill or after drinking alcohol.

Teach each driver the same rules, and watch them drive before you trust them alone. Hands-on training from a certified instructor goes further than any list.

Take a test drive with the loads and ground you will really use, and ask the dealer to explain how the machine behaves near its limits.

Who should drive, and who should ride?

The manufacturer sets age and size guidance for drivers and passengers, and some models are not designed for children at all. A child who can reach the pedals is not necessarily ready to drive. Judgment, attention and the ability to follow rules count.

Rules about youth driving on farms, especially when it is paid work, vary by state. Confirm with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division and your state labor agency.

What about public roads and neighbors?

Laws on driving side-by-sides on public roads, including crossing them, vary by state, county and sometimes by town. Equipment such as lights, mirrors, turn signals or a license plate may be required. Ask your state agency or local authorities, and do not assume a rule from a neighbor applies to you.

If you let a neighbor or friend borrow the machine, give them the same rules and the manual.

Insurance can differ for these machines, and some policies set conditions. Ask your insurance agent how a side-by-side is covered.

How do you set farm rules?

Write them down in plain words, post them in the shop and talk about them at the start of each season. Include belts, speed, passengers, loads and where the machine may go. Invite workers to speak up about problems.

Keep maintenance records and a short checklist with the machine. Your county Extension office or a farm safety program can help you build one.

Give guests a short briefing before they ride: where to sit, belts on, hands and feet inside, and what to do if you stop suddenly.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.