NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A bill expanding the Move Over law in Kansas is continuing in the legislative process in Topeka.
"The current move over law covers emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility vehicles, even waste management trucks," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "As you approach those vehicles from the rear, if you see them on the side of the road, state law says that you should move over a lane away from them if possible and/or slow down significantly."
The proposed bill would not discriminate based on what kind of vehicle is on the roadside.
"What we're doing is adding disabled vehicles," Steward said. "Typical consumer passenger vehicles, your vehicle and my vehicle. If we're stuck on the side of the road dealing with a flat tire or a broken down vehicle, it would also include those people and protect them with the same move over law."
The side of the road is not somewhere anyone wants to spend a large length of time.
"It's an extremely dangerous place to be," Steward said. "Our law enforcement officers, our tow truck drivers, they see this and live it every day. There's tragedies every year where those professionals, just doing their jobs on the roadside, are struck and killed. The same is true for the average person dealing with a disabled vehicle. We have deaths every year in Kansas and across the country where people are struck by distracted drivers, people just not paying attention. It's only common sense. If you see somebody on the side of the road with their flashing lights on, whether that's law enforcement or somebody dealing with a broken down vehicle, it's not only the safe thing to do, it's common sense."
The bill would add a $75.00 fine for unlawful passing of a stationary vehicle, but there would be an educational period, likely a year, from when the law goes into effect until when it would be enforced.
Currently, it has made it out of committee on the Senate side, but a House hearing has not yet been held.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.