Kansas drivers often overlook important traffic laws such as passing on the left and yielding the right-of-way.
If you’re like most Kansas drivers, you probably know the basics of the state’s traffic laws. However, there are a few laws that many motorists tend to ignore.
This article will take a closer look at seven of the most commonly forgotten traffic laws in Kansas. Read on to find out what they are and make sure you’re following them.
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1. Kansas Slower Traffic Keep Right Law: The “Move Over” Rule
When you’re moving slower than the vehicles around you, the Kansas traffic code requires you to keep right. This might mean driving in the right-hand lane. But if a right lane is not available, you must drive as far right as you possibly can.
You must stay in the right lane unless you are turning left or passing even slower-moving traffic.
Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or when preparing for a left turn.
2. Kansas Flow of Traffic Law: The “Minimum Speed” Rule
Under Kansas law, you cannot drive so slowly that you interfere with or delay the normal flow of traffic. If slower vehicles consistently impede traffic flow in a certain location, the authorities can set a minimum speed limit.
Just remember that you can always drive slowly if you need to do so for safety purposes or to follow the law. This means that if everyone else is speeding, you won’t get pulled over for going the speed limit.
No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
Whenever the secretary of transportation or local authorities determine that slow speeds on any highway or part of a highway impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the secretary or any such local authority may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which no person shall drive a vehicle except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
3. Kansas Driving in Left Lane Law: The “Passing on the Left” Rule
When passing another vehicle in Kansas, you must do so on the left. State traffic laws say you must also remain a safe distance from the other car and keep to the left until you have cleared it.
On a two-lane road, you cannot pass unless the left side of the road is free of oncoming traffic. You must complete the pass and return to the right side before coming within 200 feet of an approaching vehicle.
When another driver passes you, you must yield the right-of-way if they honk their horn. Then, you cannot speed up until you have been completely passed.
The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken.
In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two hundred (200) feet of any approaching vehicle.
4. Kansas Rear-End Collision Law: The “Following Too Closely” Rule
According to the Kansas traffic code, you can’t follow another vehicle more closely than is “reasonable and prudent.” Essentially, this means no tailgating. What constitutes an appropriate distance depends on the speed of travel, as well as traffic and road conditions.
The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
5. Kansas Mobile Phone Driving Law: The “Hands-Free Driving” Rule
Kansas forbids drivers from writing, reading, and sending text messages and emails while driving. This rule does not restrict texting and emailing via hands-free devices. An exception also exists for using a phone to report ongoing illegal activity to the police.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public road or highway while using a wireless communications device to write, send or read a written communication.
The provisions shall prohibit a person from using a wireless communications device while operating a moving motor vehicle to report current or ongoing illegal activity to law enforcement.
6. Kansas Four-Way Intersection Law: The “4-Way Stop” Rule
In Kansas, when two vehicles approach a four-way stop sign at the same time, the right-side driver has the right-of-way. The driver on the left must wait for the right driver to pass through the intersection before taking their turn.
When two (2) vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
7. Kansas Left Turn Intersection Law: The “Right of Way” Rule
When making a left turn in Kansas, you must yield the right-of-way to vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. This means that if a car could hit you if you turned, you must wait. Once the left side of the road is clear of oncoming traffic, you can complete your turn.
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Kansas drivers need to be aware of the traffic laws and obey them. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and you could face fines or other penalties if you are caught violating a traffic law.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the laws listed above so that you can avoid any tickets or accidents. And stay safe out there!
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