“Whip lights” have become popular with off-roaders and OHV operators. However, they are not legal for use on Arizona’s maintained roads and streets. This was something Dee Pfleger of the Arizona Game & Fish Department told the Arizona Peace Trail Committee at their March 22 meeting.
Whip lights are long and tall lights that are often attached on the rear of OHVs. They whip about easily, hence their name. They often have flags attached to them and some can flash and even change colors.
The problem is whip lights go against or interfere with the vehicle lighting requirements of Arizona state law, as written in Title 28 of Arizona Revised Statutes. Pfleger said vehicle lighting on OHVs on Arizona’s maintained roads and streets should be the same as that on cars and commercial vehicles.
As an example, Pfleger said vehicles that operate with flashing blue or red lights could be confused with emergency or law enforcement vehicles and are illegal.
ARS 28-947C states flashing lights on vehicles are prohibited with some exceptions. It reads in part:
C. Except as provided in subsection D or E of this section, flashing lights on motor vehicles are prohibited except either:
1. On authorized emergency vehicles, school buses or snow removal equipment.
2. As warning lights on disabled or parked vehicles.
3. On a vehicle as a means for indicating a right or left turn.
For more information on Arizona’s laws and regulations regarding OHVs, visit Arizona Revised Statutes Article 1, Title 28. You can also go to the website for Arizona State Parks & Trails.