Safety Whips Required at Ocotillo Wells SVRA

On July 1, 2007 Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area enacted a new safety regulation requiring safety whips on all ATV’s .

Superintendent’s Order # 439-07-01, states that all ATV’s operating within Ocotillo Wells SVRA, are required to have a whip with a flag attached to it. The whip shall be securely attached to the vehicle and the whip shall extend at least eight feet from the surface of the ground. When the vehicle is stopped, the whip shall be capable of standing upright while supporting the weight of any additional attached flags.

Each whip shall have at least one safety flag attached to it. This safety flag shall be a solid red or orange color and be attached within ten inches of the top of the whip. The safety flag shall be a minimum size of six (6) inches by twelve (12) inches and may be a pennant, triangle, square, or rectangular shape. Any additional flags may be attached to the whip but must be mounted below the safety flag.

This Superintendent’s Order was enacted for the safety and well being of all visitors to Ocotillo Wells SVRA. The whip and safety flags announce the presence of an ATV before it is actually seen. This additional warning of an approaching ATV gives other visitors time to avoid a collision.

Any questions regarding this new safety regulation may be directed to Chief Ranger Nedra Martinez by phone at 760-767-0156 or by email at nmart@parks.ca.gov.

Would this include SxS's, Car's and MX Bikes's ?

Does not seem so.

gee talk about getting onboard kinda late

Even if not maditory, those whips should be on for the safety of your self.
I even keep the whip on kid's ATV out on trails & flatts as well.

^^^^^^ Yerp.

Whips are pretty much automatic in our camp, no matter where we are.

If it prevents even one of the Jeep-vs-quad crashes I saw last season as a medic, it's worthwhile! I'm tired of calling in helo's for injured kids and other people.

All my bikes have flags on them no matter where we ride. Safer and much easier to see the kids.

I tend hit the clutch & throttle the gas a little heavy when coming around a blind corner so traffic on ther side can hear noise coming. It's helped me a bit out in the mountains.

I thought mx bikes are registered as motorcyles and not ATV's so ATV only laws if this is what it is wouldn't apply. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The way I understand the rule, Motorcycles are not required to have a whip, but quads and 3-wheelers do have to have them. I am wondering about Rhinos and buggies and such?

I think it is long overdue, once you are used to seeing them in the dunes, I feel naked in the hardpack without that whip flying overhead. A pretty easy device that easily can save someones life........

I understand why they are needed and I'm not complaining but......I HATE THOSE THINGS!!! My son breaks 2-3 per long weekend. Vendor row loves me!!!

k2 rider try the pop-it whips

virtually unbreakable

i swear I have had the same on on both of my quads.......since 1999... i have had to replace the flag
but it still works...put them on my ranger too

I went to the source to find the info, please pass on and you might want to keep a copy of this email with you if some Ranger thinks it pertians to our motorcycles.



Mr. Parkinson,

The new order only requires flags on ATV's; quads, three wheelers, etc. It does not require flags on Rhino type vehicles, motor cycles, jeeps, buggies, etc. Although, I do recommend flags on all vehicles to help to increase visibility, at this point none are required except as described above. Thank you for your inquiry and for helping pass along this information.

If you have any other questions, please contact me.


Thank you,

Andrew S. Ahlberg
Supervising State Park Ranger
Ocotillo Wells SVRA
Desk: 760 767 1322
Cell: 760 791 8233

LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE

WARNING: This communication with its contents may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception, review, use or disclosure is prohibited and may violate applicable laws including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of the communication.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Michael Parkinson [mailto:parkinson@ncdjpa.org]
Sent: Mon 10/8/2007 12:25 PM
To: Ahlberg, Andrew
Subject: New Flag regulation for Ocotillo Wells


Could you please be more specific on the new superintendent order #439-07-01. Does this include motorcycles, buggies jeeps ect. or limited to ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) ?Quads?. This question has came up on many off road forums, would like to have full disclosure of the law. I have a SxS, motorcycles and a jeep that I currently run flags on all but the motorcycles. Please advise ASAP so I can spread the word and lesson the load of the Rangers on chasing vehicles violating the rules when they are not clear to all of us.

Here is a copy of the Glamis regulation:

Glamis Rules and Regulations by the Bureau of Land Management


Nov 1, 2005

By:ORC STAFF<http://sandsports.off-road.com/dunes/author/authorInfo.jsp?id=26057>

Sandsports at Off-Road.com


Bureau of Land Management Glamis Rules and Regulations
As much as we all hate to be told what to do.... Here they are!

________________________________

SAFETY FLAGS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES
All off-highway vehicles shall be equipped with a an 8 ft whip mast and a 6"x12" red or orange flag. This includes two wheeled motorcycles. Flags may be of pennant, triangle, square, or rectangle shape. Masts must be attached securely to the vehicle<http://sandsports.off-road.com/dunes/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=226763##> and extend 8 ft. from the ground to the mast tip. Safety flags must be attached within 10 inches of the tip of the whip mast with club or other flags mounted below the safety flag or on a another whip.

Why would a Rhino / Buggy not need a whip....That is CRAZY IMHO EVERYONE IN GLAMIS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO USE THEM !!!!

Not Good!!!

Andy,

this rule pertains to Ocotillo SVRA only.

Whips are still required on all off road vehicles at ISDRA (Glamis)

THANKS MIDDY / Feel better

man I love staring at your avatar !!!!

EVA ROCKS !
Andy H

Seems pretty stupid to require them on quads and not anything else..... A little kid on an 80 out there is just as low profile as someone on a quad. I would put them on regardless, visibility is always a good thing out there. The light on the top of my whip works great at night when it's really dusty, makes it easier for everyone else to follow.

I never understood that...I feel better with a big ol whip saying here I am!!!

Quad riders are more vunerable without a big old steel cage around them.

Even with a cage, I've seen a mx bend the cage on the side of a rail when he hit it right into the driver. The mx rider was not as well off as the guy in the driver seat, but he wasnt feeling too good either. Every time I'm out there on a "big" weekend I hear life flight go overhead. One of the guys in the firestation I was working on tried to tell me that the helmet law was on "dirt bikes" just on quads and three wheelers and street bikes. I'm not sure if he was drunk or right, but I dont think I want to go play on my kx500 without one. Any one know anything about this? Just curious. I have a job out there starting for the parks department and I think I'll ask the rangers I'm doing the work for.

Slow down and read Poule, you are fine, you can still run the new rainbow flags at Glamis that you bought for this season.