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Council adopts first-reading ordinance mirroring state 'move over' law to protect disabled vehicles
Summary
Council voted 6-0 to place on first reading a local ordinance aligning Wichita code with a new state law requiring drivers to change lanes or slow when approaching stopped vehicles displaying hazard or caution lights.
The Wichita City Council voted 6-0 to place on first reading a city ordinance that would mirror a newly enacted Kansas law requiring motorists to move over or slow for vehicles displaying hazard or caution lights.
Jan Jarman of the city law department told the council the state legislature passed the rule this year and the city must adopt a local ordinance before Wichita police can issue citations. “If you have a disabled vehicle on the side of the road, drivers will have to yield to those vehicles as well,” Jarman said. Under the local version, drivers approaching a stopped vehicle with hazard lights on would be required, when safe and practicable, to move one lane over; if moving over is not possible, drivers must slow for safety. The ordinance would create a fine structure consistent with other traffic violations, with fines set by the court up to $500.
Jarman said Wichita Police Department Captain Reykstra supports the change. The council placed the ordinance on first reading and authorized signatures; the item passed 6-0.
The ordinance is intended to give local law enforcement a ticketing option consistent with the state statute and is limited to situations described in the law and ordinance text. Final adoption will follow the regular ordinance-reading schedule.
