Section 38026.1 Of Article 1. Motor Vehicles Subject To Identification From California Vehicle Code >> Division 16.5. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 1.
38026.1
. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (e), the County of
Inyo may establish a pilot project to designate combined-use highways
on unincorporated county roads in the county for no more than 10
miles so that the combined-use highways can be used to link existing
off-highway motor vehicle trails and trailheads on federal Bureau of
Land Management or United States Forest Service lands, and to link
off-highway motor vehicle recreational-use areas with necessary
service and lodging facilities, in order to provide a unified system
of trails for off-highway motor vehicles, preserve traffic safety,
improve natural resource protection, reduce off-highway vehicle
trespass on private land, and minimize impacts on county residents.
(b) The pilot project shall do all of the following:
(1) Prescribe a procedure for highway, road, or route selection
and designation. The procedure shall be approved by a vote of a
majority of the Inyo County Board of Supervisors.
(2) Prescribe a procedure for the county to remove a combined-use
designation, including a designation that is removed as a result of
the conclusion of the pilot program.
(3) In cooperation with the Department of Transportation,
establish uniform specifications and symbols for signs, markers, and
traffic control devices to control off-highway motor vehicles,
including, but not limited to, the following:
(A) Devices to warn of dangerous conditions, obstacles, or
hazards.
(B) Designations of the right-of-way for regular vehicular traffic
and off-highway motor vehicles.
(C) A description of the nature and destination of the off-highway
motor vehicle trail.
(D) Warning signs for pedestrians and motorists of the presence of
off-highway motor vehicle traffic.
(4) Require that off-highway motor vehicles subject to the pilot
project meet the safety requirements of federal and state law
regarding proper drivers' licensing, helmet usage, and the
requirements pursuant to Section 38026.5.
(5) Prohibit off-highway motor vehicles from traveling faster than
35 miles per hour on highways designated under this section.
(6) Include an opportunity for public comment at a public hearing
held by the county in order to evaluate the pilot project.
(c) The pilot project may include use of a state highway, subject
to the approval of the Department of Transportation, or any crossing
of a highway designated pursuant to Section 38025.
(d) (1) By selecting and designating a highway for combined use
pursuant to this section, the County of Inyo agrees to defend and
indemnify the state against any and all claims, including legal
defense and liability arising from a claim, for any safety-related
losses or injuries arising or resulting from use by off-highway motor
vehicles of a highway designated as a combined-use highway by the
Inyo County Board of Supervisors pursuant to this section.
(2) This subdivision does not alter the requirements of
subdivision (e).
(e) The County of Inyo shall not designate a highway for combined
use pursuant to this section unless the Commissioner of the
Department of the California Highway Patrol finds that designating
the highway for combined use would not create a potential traffic
safety hazard.
(f) Not later than January 1, 2016, the County of Inyo, in
consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol,
the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Parks and
Recreation, shall prepare and submit to the Legislature a report
evaluating the pilot project, and containing both of the following:
(1) A description of the road segments designated to allow
combined use for over three miles, as approved or adopted by a
majority vote of the members of the Inyo County Board of Supervisors.
(2) An evaluation of the overall safety and effectiveness of the
pilot project, including its impact on traffic flows, safety,
off-highway vehicle usage on existing trails, incursions into areas
not designated for off-highway vehicle usage, and nonmotorized
recreation.
(3) A description of the public comments received at a public
hearing held by the county in regards to an evaluation of the pilot
project.
(g) (1) A report submitted pursuant to subdivision (f) shall be
submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(2) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2017, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2017, deletes or extends
that date.