Trip Rules for Dubai Offroaders Drives.

During all the trips of DO, everyone must abide by the rules as laid down by the Leading Marshal. These include but are not limited to the following.

1) All participants should have basic recovery equipment; you are not allowed to attend any of the drives without basic recovery equipment. Prior to departure, Marshal’s will carry out necessary pre departure check.

2) All participants will follow the route of the leader UNLESS you as an individual do not feel it is within your capacity to do so, in this case you will stop and seek assistance from the sweep or other Marshal.

3) The trip timing is determined by the trip organizer. NO ONE should leave the desert alone before the end of the trip, and then, only when accompanied by a Marshal or designated by the Leader.

4) It is the responsibility of the driver to determine whether it is safe to take passengers, especially children, on a trip-by-trip basis. Young children MUST be seated in an approved car seat in the rear of the vehicle, OR securely fastened with seat belts in their own designated rear seat, and not sitting on drivers/ passengers’ laps.

5) Strict convoy positions and spacing is to be always followed. During the day it’s better to maintain the distance of 3 to 4 cars and at night it should be a minimum of 6 to 7 cars. Check your rearview meter periodically to make sure the person behind you is still there and keep an eye out for the person in front of you or you will lose each other.

6) Free play and showing off is not allowed at any time during the trip, unless in a designated “Play Area” identified by the leader. During this time the Leading Marshal will organize the queue for dune climbing or side sloping. No one is allowed to play alone outside of the “Play Area”

If you have children with you, you MUST always supervise them and keep them away from any “Play Area” Children WILL NOT be allowed in parents cars who are taking part in the “Play Time” and will be supervised by the organizing Marshal or an appropriate adult.

7) Recovery of a stuck vehicle is the sole responsibility of the Sweeper OR other person designated by the Leader. No one else will interfere with the recovery unless specifically asked to do so by the Sweeper or Leading Marshal. This may not apply during Newbie instruction trips, when you will be given a chance to learn & practice recovery techniques.

While the stuck vehicle is being attended to, other participating cars should remain in their designated convoy position and NOT indulge in free play. Drivers and their passengers are encouraged to witness the recovery process provided they do not crowd around the ground zero, keep a careful watch on the children and do not interfere with the chain of command of the Marshal attending to the stuck vehicle. The spectators are also required to maintain a safe distance, e.g., in case of winch or snatch recovery, the safe distance is double the length of the winch/tow rope/distance.

8) The ONLY people allowed to drive at the side of a convoy are Marshals who will be assessing people on their driving skills and to offer advice and assistance to the leading Marshal or designated trip leader.

Failure to follow the above rules will result in the offending member being verbally warned by the Leading Marshal. Any re-occurrence will result in the offending member receiving Black Points which will automatically lead to a ban from further trips for a designated period decided by the trip Marshals.