Sand Flags on the Madigan Line

Don't know about the legal side but IMHO it's plain common sense to use one in that terrain. Why would you only worry about the 'legal' side ????


Regards

I wouldn’t presume no oncoming traffic anywhere! Except on a race track.

Very good idea for the lead vehicle to have a sand flag. What reason would you not have one in that sort of country?
Cheers
Shane

I haven't checked any of our old Madigan permit details, but I wouldn't be surprised if the permit holder isn't directed to use a sand flag on the Madigan.

As for the use of UHF, I wonder why some people fit them to their vehicle, and then don't use them. We had just left Madigan Camp 16, heading down the Hay track to the QAA Line, and had pulled up at a well used camp site, when through the timber came a Pajero. We hadn't heard any chatter whatsoever, to indicate a northbound vehicle. During our conversation with the couple, they mentioned they had turned the UHF off, "once we got out of the sandhills".

Another reason for all vehicles to have a flag is if the party splits up. One member of the group may get a compassionate call from home, or need to head for civilisation for mechanical or medical reasons.

In the end, it's up to you blokes, Triton Man.

Bob

mad if you don,t have one ,common sense should tell ya that you can,t see the other side of the dunes
a group of us did the Madigon Line june last yr never saw a vehicle heading east the direction we were goin
but when we reached the hay river trk heading south there was a number of vehicles heading west saying that east to west is better cos the dunes are steeper
cheers mechpete

.
I don't recall a flag requirement on the Madigan permit but then, I didn't look for it as I always 'fly the flag' in dune country. And many other tracks for that matter....... I'v got it, why not fly it?

As for UHF, totally unreliable to determine on-coming traffic for all the reasons already stated.
The "Bloody Idiot" who is going to charge up the dune in front of you is the same Bloody Idiot who is not going to bother with using UHF. And there is a good chance that he is not flying an ADEQUATE dune flag either.
My defence is to always fly a good flag and approach the dune crest at a very low forward speed whilst 'expecting' someone to appear in front of me. This once saved me from ramming into the rear of a camper trailer which presented a very low profile ahead whist it, and the vehicle towing it, had stopped just over the crest. Yep, you guessed it, they were taking a photo. And they had a flag.... of sorts... but no UHF, not that that mattered as I was not searching for one!

I highlighted above an "ADEQUATE" flag. I have seen many on the Simpson using very tall but flexible poles which simply bend back with the forward vehicle motion such that the flag is no higher than the vehicle roof and way too far back. Of course, when stationary, the owner stands gazing proudly at his tall dune flag, obliviously unaware of its futility. Totally hopeless!!

I hope to be part of a group of 7 vehicles travelling the Madigan Line in August, and we've chosen to go east to west because it's more challenging. Following Allan's comments about sand flags, I use an old surf fishing rod precisely because it remains fairly rigid.

Never really been in "dune" country proper. Has anyone ever been warned of an approaching car by seeing a waving dune flag first ??

Cheers
Jim

What would a Madigan trip cost? $1500 to $2000

A sand flag? From $45

I just cant imagine why people scrimp on safety items like this.

Imagine
-The vehicles get separated for some reason
-The one sand flag breaks ( common)
-The lead vehicle breaks down or a substitute driver who is not comfortable leading has to drive.
-Vehicles need to spread out
-The lead vehicle has had too many punctures and needs to sit back for the trip

etc

Potential major issues, all for saving $45. One meal at a Pub on the way.

Inexpensive 3M sand flag

I make my own (and I made the one on the Canter).
Only need to be half a metre above the OKA, but I like them higher than that.
The long tapered one on the Canter has good visibility and the orange has better visibility than the yellow despite both being "approved" colours.
I use the fibreglass rods from an old tent with QC air fittings and a good source of dayglow is a hi vis jacket at about $2 which can make 4 flags.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Quote "I am not asking about the pro's and con's of Sand Flags, just their legal requirement. "

We have 30 replies and I don't see one that answers the question. All that white noise, looks like a lot of members can't comprehend the question.

.
To set the record "Crystal Clear" I have now found my CLC permit for my 2019 Madigan's crossing.

It makes NO mention of "sand flags" or "dune flags" or any other preparedness.
In fact it is only concerned as to what area and what time of travel, as is the usual case with CLC permits.

I think you would need a very good lawyer or whatever to determine just what the answer really is. Between laws, legislation, regulations etc, etc.
Sometimes there’s just good old common sense , and most of us would just use a sand flag.
I wonder if ANYONE really knows?

Another subject that gets everyone going , hey!

Cheers

In terms of there being no rangers in the desert (Sth Aust) just don’t go around Finke Races time. You are likely to find them behind a sandhill inspecting desert parks passes
Ross