Kansas Move Over Law Explained
If you’re driving on I-135 near Wichita, the Kansas Turnpike outside Topeka, or US-50 through Garden City, you’ve likely seen emergency vehicles with flashing lights on the shoulder. In these situations, you should slow down and give these vehicles space, as required by recently enacted state law. Understanding the new Kansas move over law is crucial for every driver on our roads. This law exists to protect the lives of police officers, firefighters, paramedics, tow truck drivers, and fellow motorists stranded with a breakdown. Failing to comply can lead to serious penalties and catastrophic accidents. The Kansas car accident attorneys at Patterson Legal Group are here to explain the new law and how it helps keep Kansas motorists safe.
What Is the New Kansas Move Over Law?
Kansas law has always required drivers to exercise caution around stationary emergency vehicles. However, last year Senate Bill 8 was signed into law, making these requirements official. The law states that drivers must “proceed with due caution when passing stationary vehicles displaying hazard warning lights.” It applies to stationary authorized emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and highway maintenance vehicles.
If any of the aforementioned vehicles has its lights activated, you are legally required to do two things. First, if you can do so safely and are on a multi-lane road, you must move over into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle. Second, if moving over is not possible or you are on a two-lane road, you must slow down to a speed that is reasonable and safe for the road conditions. The major change is that the law now also includes all disabled vehicles displaying warning signals, such as hazard lights or road flares. This means if you see a car pulled over on the side of Kellogg Avenue with its hazards on, the same “move over or slow down” rule applies.
How Do the New Laws Enhance Kansas Driver Safety?
This Kansas move over law directly addresses a widespread and dangerous problem. A disabled vehicle on the shoulder of a road is incredibly vulnerable, and passengers are at high risk when they exit the car. By requiring passing traffic to move over or reduce speed, the law creates a vital buffer of safety. This protects not only the stranded driver who may be changing a tire but also the tow truck operator or Good Samaritan who stops to help.
The new Kansas move over law reduces the risk of a secondary collision, where a moving vehicle strikes a stationary one on the shoulder. These types of car accidents often occur at high speeds and can be devastating. The enhanced law recognizes that every person on the side of the road, regardless of whether they are in a uniform or a civilian vehicle, deserves protection from passing traffic.
What Happens If I Do Not Comply with Kansas Move Over Law?
Violating the Kansas move over law is a serious traffic offense. A driver who fails to move over or slow down can be cited and face substantial fines. The base fine can be as high as $300 but can be escalated if a driver is found guilty of reckless driving. In those cases, violators may have to pay additional fines and face prison time.
Beyond the legal penalty, such a violation demonstrates negligence—a failure to exercise the care a reasonable driver would under the circumstances. If your failure to obey the Kansas move over law causes a crash that injures a roadside worker, a stranded motorist, or another driver, you will likely be held fully liable for damages. These can include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, pain and suffering, and other personal property damage.
The financial consequences of failing to comply with Kansas move over law can be severe, far exceeding the cost of a traffic ticket. This is an example of how a momentary lapse in attention or judgement can lead to easily preventable traffic violations.
Contact a Trusted Kansas Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured while in a stationary vehicle on the shoulder of a road due to another driver’s negligence, do not hesitate to seek professional guidance from a Kansas injury attorney from Patterson Legal Group. Our accomplished trial lawyers will protect your rights and maximize your financial settlement. Whether you are a roadside worker injured by a passing vehicle, a stranded motorist hit while awaiting help, or a driver involved in a complex crash related to a roadside incident, our team has the experience and skills to help you. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
Patterson Legal Group is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach us by phone at (816) 920-0000. For your convenience, you can also connect with us online through our LiveChat agents or through our secure contact form. Our distinguished trial lawyers have recovered full and fair compensation for injury victims throughout Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Reach out to us today to get the legal assistance you need and the settlement that you deserve.
