MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson police are preparing for increased traffic, parking violations and pedestrian activity around the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Traffic Officer Jared Gilmore said temporary traffic signals are operating at 20th and Main streets and 23rd and Main streets. Officers have already seen motorists drive through the flashing red lights.
“A flashing red light is — you’ve got to come to a complete stop per Kansas state law, and then proceed when traffic’s cleared out of the intersection,” Gilmore said.
Road closures are also expected along State Fair Road and portions of Plum Street as preparations continue for the fair.
The Kansas Highway Patrol will primarily handle incidents on the fairgrounds, while the Hutchinson Police Department will be responsible for surrounding streets. Gilmore said the department received Kansas Department of Transportation grant funding for additional enforcement.
“We will have some extra saturation patrols,” Gilmore said. “We were granted through the Kansas Department of Transportation that we will have extra patrol out, working crashes, working parking complaints.”
Gilmore said illegal parking is one of the most common problems officers encounter during the fair. Additional officers will focus on enforcing parking restrictions around the fairgrounds.
Motorists should obey posted no-parking signs, including restrictions along Main Street between 20th and 23rd avenues.
Police are also reminding drivers not to block the entrance and exit to Hutchinson Fire Station No. 1 at 23rd and Main. Pavement markings identify the area that must remain open for emergency vehicles.
“It is very important to not block that fire station one entrance and exit,” Gilmore said. “That way, the fire guys can get out into the road as soon as possible.”
Drivers should also watch for pedestrians moving between parking areas and the fairgrounds. Gilmore said tightly packed vehicles can lead to crashes and parking-lot hit-and-runs.
“The most important thing is when you pull out, you’ve got to watch for pedestrians at this time,” Gilmore said. “One of the big things I see is we work a lot of hit-and-runs around the State Fair because they’re parking so tight.”
Officers also expect to conduct additional impaired-driving enforcement during the fair.
Gilmore discussed another growing traffic concern involving electric bicycles and scooters. Kansas generally treats e-bikes and scooters like traditional bicycles, requiring riders to obey traffic signals, stop signs and other rules of the road.
“If you park legally, you're not going to hopefully not get into a big of a bind,” Gilmore said, emphasizing the importance of parking properly and remaining aware of nearby pedestrians.
E-bike and scooter riders who cannot maintain the normal speed of traffic should stay near the right side of the roadway. Gilmore said questions remain about when riders must use an available path or sidewalk.
The department is also working on a possible city ordinance addressing e-bikes and electric scooters.
Gilmore said he drafted a proposal that has been reviewed by police leadership and the city attorney. Police plan to seek direction from the Hutchinson City Council about what safety requirements or restrictions should be included.
“We’re going to ask the City Council what restrictions or safety requirements they want included,” Gilmore said. “We want to promote safety without discouraging residents from using e-bikes and scooters.”
The proposal could come before the council in October.