On Monday, the Kansas House of Representatives passed a bill that would add and increase penalties on drivers for certain infractions. The bill now goes to Governor Laura Kelly’s desk.
On Monday, the Kansas House of Representatives passed SB 8, a bill that adds requirements for drivers when approaching stopped, standing or parked vehicles that display hazard lights. The bill includes a $75 fine for violations.
Under the bill, drivers will need to approach stationary vehicles with hazard lights with caution, on multi-lane highways drivers must change lanes away from the stationary vehicle and on single-lane roads if one lane is unsafe drivers must slow down and proceed with caution.
Under the bill, drivers who are convicted of a traffic infraction will have their fines doubled. Drivers will also face increased fines for committing a second violation within two years of a prior conviction.rd flu reported in Manhattan
In a fiscal note on the bill, the Office of Judicial Administration said the bill could increase the number of cases filed in the district court and result in more processing time for court employees and judges. The Office of Judicial Administration said the financial impact of the bill can’t be estimated.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) said the agency’s Traffic Record Enhancement Fund currently receives 2.23% of all district court fines, penalties, and forfeitures, while the agency’s Seat Belt Safety Fund receives 2.20 %. KDOT said it was unable to estimate the fiscal impact of the bill.Crash causes highway traffic jam in north Topeka
AAA Kansas commended the bill’s passing in the House. AAA Kansas said 994 empty vehicles were struck on the side of the road from 2018 to 2023 in Kansas. The crashes resulted in 8 deaths and 25 suspected serious injuries. In that same time period, 82 crashes happened while someone was inside the vehicle on the side of the road.
“AAA Kansas thanks Senate Transportation Committee chair Sen. Mike Peterson, House Transportation Committee chair Rep. Shannon Francis, members of both committees, and ultimately the full Senate and House membership for passing this important road safety bill on to the final step toward it becoming law. Adding motorists dealing with disabled vehicles to Kansas’ ‘Move Over’ law will provide drivers, as well as emergency personnel, who may be aiding them with additional protections when they are on the side of the road.”Shawn Steward, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Kansas