Think you know what UTV windshields are for? Think again, because they perform key functions well beyond keeping you protected from the elements — although that’s critical when you’re off-roading in the rain and mud, snowmobiling through fresh powder or taking potential residents around the retirement home grounds you manage. The windshield does much more than keep bugs out of your face, and is actually considered a critical part of the UTV’s safety restraint system (SRS), just like your seat belts. A damaged windshield is akin to a nonworking air bag in a vehicle: It puts everyone in the UTV...
UTV windshields are usually made from a special material called Lexan, and a few are made of acrylic. Regular windshields for cars are made from safety glass. Ask whether your UTV windshield is Lexan or acrylic when shopping, and do your research so you know the pros and cons of each. Also known as sheet-grade polycarbonate, Lexan is quicker to scratch than acrylic, but it’s also much more resistant to impact — a must for many UTV riders. Both materials are tough, but Lexan is a little stronger — in fact, it’s 200 times stronger than glass. However, acrylic has...
The right UTV accessories can prevent serious injury from UTV rollovers, but the best plan of attack is to prevent a rollover in the first place. A knowledgeable and safety-minded UTV owner/rider will have rollover protection in place and make sure to practice common sense. Unfortunately, “common sense is not so common,” said French philosopher Voltaire, and he remains correct to this day. One of the biggest causes of UTV rollovers is operating them on public roads. UTVs are designed exclusively for off-road usage, which is why driving them on public roads is illegal in the vast majority of the...
