The cool weather we are enjoying now is perfect for outdoor adventures. Getting off the beaten track - literally and figuratively - and heading to the dunes and the empty desert offer the kind of tranquility you wouldn't find anywhere else.

Navigating the sandy landscape, however, is by no means a walk in the park. Last month, the Abu Dhabi Police, equipped with an air ambulance, came to the rescue of three Asians who were seriously injured in an accident in a desert area near Zayed City.

In October last year, an American rapper known as Tekashi69 met with an accident in Dubai desert and suffered a head injury. His quad bike flipped and he got lost in the desert for about 40 minutes. After recuperating from the incident, he posted a photo of himself and captioned it: "The desert is no joke".

"Despite the unrestrained, wide, open spaces, off-road driving is very complex.

There's a lot of potentially dangerous situations, due to its nature of being 'off-road'. You are in the wilderness with all related great experiences and unforgettable moments, but you must always watch out," Thomas Edelmann, managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, told Khaleej Times.

"Desert driving is not just about your motor-handling or driving skills, it's more about having the right knowledge to ensure safety when navigating through the rugged off-road environment," he added.

Off-road driving is exciting - but it requires skill and a lot of common sense. Hone your off-road driving skills whenever you can, and safety should be your top priority.

For beginners, there are a number of companies and organisations across the UAE that provide trainings. Newbies can learn the ropes from the more experienced drivers. Be careful and cautious - leave all your fantasies of invincibility behind.

According to Edelmann, the first rule of off-road driving is to go as a convoy. Each driver is responsible for the car behind and the convoy should travel at the speed of the slowest car. If you are last in the convoy and you get stuck, turn on your headlights so that those ahead of you can see that you're in trouble. The next rule is to leave sufficient space between cars. The speed varies, depending on the terrain, but cars should be at least 20 to 40 metres apart. Never attempt to negotiate the tricky parts of your route before the car ahead of you has cleared it.

Always travel prepared. Bring the right tools and equipment, including a shovel, heavy-duty towing ropes, tyre compressor, proper car jack, wooden base board for your car jack, a well-maintained spare tyre and, importantly, a first aid kit.

Also, check your insurance cover and never forget to get the weather forecast to know if it will be foggy or if there's any incoming sandstorm or rainshower before you venture out.

When out in the desert, plan your stop. According to statistics, about 90 per cent of incidents of vehicles getting stuck happened due to stopping at the wrong places.

Always choose the safe spot to stop, and stop slowly.

Lastly, while getting the right driving skill is a must, honing it is a continuous process - that's why it is also important to join groups of like-minded adventurers.

It pays well to be in a group to enjoy what the UAE desert has to offer.

Know the law

In Dubai, it is mandatory to acquire a desert guide permit before applying for the safari driving permit at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The permit is required to ensure all applicants have the right training and skills to interact with tourists and provide them with the right information about Dubai.

Last year, the Sharjah Police started issuing desert driving licences. Applicants are required to undergo special training and pass tests, including theory and practical examination, at the Sharjah Driving Institute. The training also includes technical and practical knowledge on what to do if a vehicle gets stuck in the sand. The new permits will be applicable particularly to tourism companies offering desert safaris in Sharjah.

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