WICHITA, Kan. – AAA Kansas, with support from the AAA Kansas Traffic Safety Fund, has donated sets of digital road flare lights to the Buhler Police Department and the Harvey County Sheriff's Office.
The donations were part of a group given to about two dozen smaller police departments and sheriff’s offices across the Sunflower State, to help increase visibility and safety when officers work roadside emergency incidents in dark conditions.
AAA Kansas presented 6-light sets of pi-lit® smart sequential road flares to the departments.
“Many people, including law enforcement officers, road construction crews and tow truck operators, such as our AAA emergency roadside service technicians, are in put perilous situations while working their daily jobs, often just feet away from passing traffic,” said Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas spokesman. “In AAA Kansas’ ongoing commitment to educating motorists about “Move Over” safety laws and protecting roadside workers, it is our honor to donate these highly visible flare kits to our Kansas law enforcement partners, to help them return home safely to their families after nighttime duties along the roadways.”
“Move Over” Laws
Move Over laws exist in all 50 states. AAA and other traffic safety advocates have been instrumental in the passage of laws to better protect tow truck drivers, road construction workers and other first responders.
Kansas’ Move Over law requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights, including towing and recovery vehicles, traveling in the same direction, to vacate the lane closest if safe and possible to do so, or slow to a speed safe for road, weather, and traffic conditions.
In Kansas, the original law took effect in 2000 to protect law enforcement officers. It has been expanded over the years to to reduce risk to roadside construction crews, emergency responders and tow operators and waste collection vehicles. It was most recently broadened during the 2021 Kansas Legislative session to include utility and telecommunications crews.
If motorists are cited for violating this statute, they will face a $75 fine plus, potentially, additional court costs.
Tragic Numbers
In Kansas designated road construction work zones alone – not even including incidents involving law enforcement officers, tow truck drivers and other roadside workers – the impact of vehicle crashes has been significant and tragic. According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, from 2010-2019, there were:
- 15,925 work zone crashes
- 5,126 injuries in those crashes
- 65 people killed
What’s Being Done
Law enforcement agencies across Kansas and the nation regularly enforce Move Over law violations. AAA and its traffic safety partners will strengthen advocacy and community awareness throughout the year, including highlighting “National Move Over Day” which happens every third Saturday in October.