Mud Bogging Safety

Well, with my background, it's no surprise that I might choose to bring up the topic of safety.  I am a retired firefighter and former EMT and definitely look at things in life differently because of that.   I think it is important to bring this topic up to help keep other safe, if for no other reason than I just got you to think a little more about this topic.

Of course, to minimize injuries, but also another reason I bring this up is that once injuries or God Forbid a death occurs, the GOVERNMENT gets involved if this happens at a mud bog.   And the last thing we need to have is the government getting into what we are doing on our weekends.    There are at least a handful of bog promoters right now dealing with legal battles with their local government entities and I am afraid that this could be that proverbial "slippery slope" if we don't do our best to keep things safe.

Several things can be done to make your bog a little safer, and this is NOT a totally complete list as there are so many variations, shapes and sizes of mud bog pits but at least some talking points none-the-less.

PIT DESIGN
Does your pit allow for safe traffic flow?
Does your pit have natural or man-made barriers to keep trucks where they need to be and separate from spectators?
Does your pit location have adequate signage telling whatever it is that needs to be told, such as direction, flow or restrictions etc.?

SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Does your location require helmets?
Does your location require seat belt usage or safety harness usage?
Does your pit allow for riders in open-roof vehicles such as Jeeps and in pickup beds without ensuring the occupants are secured?
Does your location require things like "kill switches" or drive shaft loops or other safety measures?
Does your location require a "tech inspection" to make sure things are as safe as reasonably can be?
Does your location require trucks running in pits to have a fire extinguisher or do you have adequate fire extinguishers around the pit area?

OTHER ITEMS
Does your location offer either with your own equipment or working a deal with an outside company to offer washouts so drivers can be safer, and of course leave the location without leaving tons of mud on the roadways?
Does your location have a "No Glass" rule?
Does your location have an alcohol policy?
Does your location have a "Safety Officer?

(A safety officer is one person who his/her job is to be the ultimate decider of what happens.  If this person sees an unsafe act, they have the authority to shut that individual situation down til it is remedied. Not best to have the property owner or promoter being this person as they are usually pre-occupied with running the overall event, but it needs to be someone the property owner trusts with decision making.)

This is by all means NOT an complete list and merely just some points to think about.   Anything we can do to RESTRICT INJURIES and PROMOTE FUN at the same time is a good thing, and keeps the GOVERNMENT off of our backs and from shutting us all down.    Please do your part to be safe!

Ryan
Anythingwithanengine Media