Section 135.80  OHV Site Rules

a)         Trail Usage

1)         Right-of-Way.  Vehicles traveling uphill shall have the right-of-way and all other vehicles shall move to the right side of the trail to make way.

2)         Pedestrians.  Pedestrian traffic is not permitted on OHV trails.

3)         Stopping, Standing or Parking on OHV Trails.  No person shall stop, park or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon any OHV trail when it is practicable to stop, park or so leave such vehicle off the OHV trail, but in every event an unobstructed width of the OHV trail opposite a standing vehicle shall be left for the free passage of other vehicles and a clear view of such stopped vehicle shall be available from as much of a distance is possible from the location of the standing vehicle.

4)         Speed limits for vehicles using the OHV trails shall be posted by the Department and must be obeyed at all times.  

b)         Vehicle travel is only allowed on designated trails and may not be operated on any other road, trail or location on Department owned, leased, or managed lands. No vehicle shall be operated in a such a manner as to damage any natural feature or property.  Creation of new trails is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Department.

c)         United States Department of Transportation or ASNI Z90.1 approved safety helmets are required for all operators and passengers in designated riding areas unless the vehicle is equipped with a fully enclosed metal cab or roll bar protection and seatbelts.

d)         Passengers are only allowed on vehicles which are designed by the manufacturer to carry a passenger.  Passengers may only be allowed to ride on a vehicle pursuant to vehicle manufacturer's specifications. No passenger is allowed to ride in a vehicle cargo area.

e)         All persons located at an OHV site must comply with all posted signs.

f)         All vehicles operating at an OHV site must have working brakes.

g)         All vehicles and trailers must be parked in designated parking areas and may not be left unattended at any other location at the site.

h)         Vehicles or hauling equipment that is left on Department owned, managed or leased land for more than 24 hours without the permission of the Department may be towed at the owner's expense. The Department is not responsible for providing towing or hauling services for any vehicle using OHV trails. Any damage done to Department property during the towing or hauling of any vehicle shall be paid by the owner of the OHV, ATV or OHM.

i)          No vehicle shall be operated at an OHV site that exceeds a sound level of 96 decibels. Such sound restrictions include, but are not limited to, vehicle exhaust systems, stereo speakers or any item or attachment to a vehicle. Any vehicle which is on Department owned property is subject to sound level testing upon the request of the Department.

j)          All OHVs and ATVs must be equipped with a flexible mast of no shorter than 72 inches in length with an orange flag attached to the top of the mast. The orange flag must measure at least 72 square inches. 

k)         Any vehicle which is inoperable must be removed from the trail and riding area by the operator and properly parked at a designated parking area.  The operator of any such vehicle must have permission of the Site Superintendent or Site Staff to leave the vehicle in the parking area overnight due to an inoperable or damaged condition.

l)          Any person who violates any provision of this Part or Illinois law shall be subject to arrest and/or removal from the premises where the violation occurred. Such removal shall be in compliance with 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2530 Subpart H.

m)        Anyone who is arrested at an OHV site, removed from an OHV site, or cited for a violation of this Part or any law of the State while at an OHV site and who has paid a permit fee shall not receive a refund of such fee.