We’ve all been there, casually off-roading on a beautiful day with the top off of our Jeep® brand vehicle, when we are approached by another vehicle coming in the opposite direction. The other vehicle passes at a terrific speed and leaves behind a choking wake of dust which makes it next to impossible to see or breathe. We’ve just been “dusted,” a breach of trail etiquette which is both rude and unsafe. Sure, there are no laws governing off-roading conduct, but trail etiquette is a way for responsible drivers to practice safe driving habits and to exhibit good manners and common courtesy.

Here are a few trail etiquette tips to help make your off-road trip safer and more enjoyable for others:

Dusting: Anytime you drive by someone on a dry dirt road at more than 10 mph, you cause a huge cloud of dust. A number of Jeep brand vehicles are open air, so all this dust will not only cover the interior of the vehicle, it can also inhibit the driver’s vision or breathing. Slowing down to a crawl will prevent dusting.

Tailgating: It is important to allow each vehicle to traverse the more difficult obstacles one-at-a-time. The different off-road obstacles and conditions you encounter can significantly increase braking time, not to mention that tailgating someone up a hill when he fails his climb can have disastrous results.

Keep Track of Your Trail Partners: When off-roading in a group, it is the responsibility of every driver to keep track of the vehicle behind them via the rear view mirror. If everyone does this, then nobody gets left behind.

Passing on a Flat Trail: Whether approached from the front or from the rear, find a place wide enough to pull off the road safely and without damage to the vegetation, and then carefully pull over.

Passing on an Incline: Vehicles going uphill have the right-of-way. On steep inclines, the loss of climbing momentum might cause a loss of traction or an engine stall. The vehicle which is moving downhill should back up cautiously and pull over as soon as possible.

Wheel spinning: Ordinarily, wheel spinning is the result of one of two things: Driver error or having the wrong equipment. Either one throws rocks or mud on other vehicles or can cause ruts in the trail, making it an unpleasant experience for the next person. If you find yourself in a situation where you are spinning excessively, try another line or turn around.

Rock stacking: Rock stacking disturbs the environment and can permanently change an obstacle. While permissible on occasion to help get out of a bad situation, if you have to routinely stack rocks to make it over an obstacle, you may want to re-think your route or your vehicle’s capability

Trash: Practice good “Leave No Trace” and “Tread Lightly” ethics. This may mean disassembling rock stacks or picking up trash that isn’t yours. Let’s leave the trail better than we found it.

Be Prepared: Do your homework and research the area where you will be off-roading. Make sure you have the right equipment, clothing, food, and water for the conditions you may encounter. There is nothing worse than a person who has to be consistently “rescued” or pulled out because they attempt obstacles not suited for their vehicle or forget their supplies when needed most.

Wildlife: Give wildlife a wide berth. Don’t try to follow or chase them. This is their turf and if they feel threatened, they may turn on you. Chasing wildlife also ruins the outdoor experience for the next person.

Speed: Slow down and enjoy the ride. Not only will you see a lot more scenery, you may avoid expensive repairs that may not have occurred had you just driven a little bit slower.

Whether you are a new Jeep® brand vehicle owner or an experienced off-roader, you’ll find your trail experience much more pleasant and safer by following these few simple rules. So get out there, have fun, and remember to mind your off-road trail etiquette. It will be much more enjoyable for everyone.