A new law requires drivers to “move over” and give an additional lane of safety to more motorists.
The bill, signed into law March 23, expands the requirement to all stalled vehicles along Kansas roadways , and says when approaching a vehicle with its hazard lights on, drivers must move over to the nonadjacent lane, if possible.
“If the driver of the motor vehicle is traveling on a highway that consists of at least two lanes that carry traffic in the same direction of travel as that of the driver’s motor vehicle, the driver shall proceed with due caution and, if possible … shall change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to that of the stationary vehicle,” the law reads.
If moving over isn’t possible, the driver must slow their speed and proceed to pass with caution.
“If the driver is traveling on a highway of that type but it is not possible to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle and maintain a safe speed for the road, weather and traffic conditions,” the law reads.
Previously, move-over laws only applied to emergency personnel and vehicles like tow trucks, road service providers and utility vehicles. Unlawfully passing a stopped emergency vehicle could result in a fine of $75.
Thanks to this commonsense bill, all drivers will now be required to move over or slow down if there is a vehicle on the side of the road with flashing lights,” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said in a March 24 press release. “This bill will improve safety and will make it easier to educate the driving public.”
According to the press release, 82 crashes happened from 2018 to 2023 that involved a stalled vehicle on the side of the road.
According to Wichita’s municipal court, failing to move over when the law requires could result in a $50 fine and court costs equaling $71.50, a $121.50 total cost.
There are several laws that went into effect Jan. 1, including the elimination of state sales tax on grocery items , a law that allows retailers in the state to add a surcharge fee to credit card transactions and a law that allows people who can’t afford to pay a traffic ticket to petition the court to waive and reduce the fees.
