Latest news with #KansasHighwayPatrol
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
What is the ‘Move Over' law in Kansas?
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Changes made to a Kansas traffic law are in effect and having a big impact on travelers in the Sunflower State this year. Numerous laws became effective on July 1, 2025, including the newly revamped 'Move Over' law passed by the Kansas Legislature in the spring. The existing law is meant to help protect first responders and others who are involved in crashes or experiencing car trouble on the side of the road. Senate bill 8 specifies that drivers are required to move with caution when passing stationary vehicles that are displaying hazard warning lights. Drivers on highways that have two or more lanes heading in the same direction must, if possible, change lanes into a lane which is not next to that of the stationary vehicle. 'It's that special': How much do the new blackout license plates cost in Kansas? April McCollum with the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) told 27 News the new Move Over law is added into existing statutes that will grant an additional layer of protection to people who are in emergency situations on the road. She said drivers are encouraged to keep an eye out for hazard lights on the road and move over to protect those who are at a stop. 'Kansas Highway Patrol troopers can attest to the danger encountered daily when working on the side of the road,' McCollum said. 'A matter of feet and inches can be the difference between a safe traffic stop and serious injury by a passing vehicle.' The new law also specifies that drivers should move over if they see road flares, caution signals or traffic cones that appear near a stopped vehicle. Drivers who violate the new Move Over law may be subject to a $75 fine for the traffic violation. 'Moving over and slowing down for disabled vehicles are small actions that can make a huge difference,' said Kate Craft replying on behalf of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). 'Governor Kelly's expansion of the Move Over Law is a great step forward in protecting the lives of all road users. By expanding the law to include a wider range of vehicles and roadside situations, we're helping to create a safer environment for those stranded on the side of the road and all travelers. Together, we can reach our goal of zero crashes and zero fatalities on Kansas roads.' 'This is what Kansans voted for': Kansas lawmakers react to Senate passage of Trump mega bill For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
First responders honor fallen Phillipsburg deputy; convoy brings him home
PHILLIPSBURG, Kan. (KSNW) – First responders escorted Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede for the hours-long procession from Wichita to Phillipsburg on Tuesday. KSN spoke with those who have a first-hand look at the sacrifice of being a public servant. All say he will never be forgotten. A somber scene in Wichita as Gaede was escorted back to Phillipsburg, a journey of over 200 miles and escorted by multiple agencies. 'It's a partnership between all first responders. The Highway Patrol is just one of many agencies helping with this moment. And it's just it creates pride, I think, for everybody involved,' Kansas Highway Patrol Technical Trooper Ben Gardner said. A sea of first responders, including police officers, deputies, troopers, paramedics, and firefighters, lined the highway, paying their respects and reflecting on public service. 'It brings back to reality that this is what can happen in this profession, unfortunately. And so I would think that they're thinking that themselves and how to have those kind of difficult conversations with their own family,' Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said. Easter also said that this day prompted the community to show up for Gaede, his wife and three kids. 'They've got a lot of decisions to make and a lot of time away from their dad at this point until they can get to the age of being able to support themselves. And so that's going to take a community commitment,' he said. First responders also said that Gaede was a dedicated member of the service. He gave everything he had for his community. 'Brotherhood and sisterhood in all that we do. And we want to show support. We want to be there for everybody that tragically loses their life,' Sedgwick County Fire District 1 Deputy Chief Ray Hensley said. Why flags in Kansas will fly half-staff on Saturday, July 5 The Phillips County sheriff, Kyle Pinkerton, says Gaede was a gifted listener and did his best to de-escalate in any situation in a civil or criminal context. Pinkerton recalled having him on as a trainee years ago. 'When I took over, he was the first person I trained, Brandon was. And he drove around with me for about two months until he took on his own. He's crafted his own career from there, he's jumped up, and this man had a large future in front of him. And now it's gone,' he said. A GoFundMe has been set up for Gaede's wife and three children. Donations are also being accepted through Venmo and The Farmer's State Bank in Phillipsburg. Pinkerton says the Phillips County Sheriff's Office is in the process of setting up its own fundraising initiative for Gaede's family. Deputy Gaede will be remembered during the funeral scheduled on Saturday. The memorial will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Huck Boyd Community Center, 860 Park Street, Phillipsburg. The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, 576 W. Osage Road, Stuttgart. For members of the public attending funeral services, parking will be available at Phillipsburg High School, located at 410 S. 7th Street. Buses will be available to transport attendees to the Huck Boyd Community Center. Parking for first responders will be available along Park Street near the community center. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Yahoo
Overland Park Police, KHP to crack down on aggressive driving
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A joint operation between Overland Park Police and the Kansas Highway Patrol led to more than 100 citations and multiple arrests during a targeted crackdown on aggressive driving last Saturday afternoon. The operation, which took place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., was funded by the IDDP OT Grant Funds and was designed to improve road safety and lessen aggressive driving practices in Overland Park. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV The department said in total, officers and troopers conducted 93 traffic stops, issuing 102 citations and making three arrests. According to OPPD, citations concentrated on hazardous violations, which they say are the main cause for crashes on highways. Several high-speed motorcycles were stopped and cited, including one traveling at 130 mph, OPPD said. That motorcyclist was arrested, and his motorcycle was impounded by police. Six officers from Overland Park and five troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol participated. Both agencies will carry out similar enforcement actions in the future as part of their continued commitment to guaranteeing the safety of drivers on Overland Park roads. A couple of speeders made headlines recently, one in Overland Park for going 104 mph in a 45 mph zone, and another on US 69 who was caught going 143 mph in a 75 mph zone because they said they were late for work. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Can you get in trouble for driving too slowly on the highway in Kansas?
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Speeding drivers can cause big problems on Kansas' highways, but what about those who are going too slow? Drivers on the highways of Kansas may get frustrated when a fellow traveler passes by going far above the posted speed limit. But just as going too fast can cause crashes, road rage and other issues, so too can going too slow for highway speeds. 27 News reached out to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) this week to find out what problems come about when drivers travel too slowly on the highway. The Kansas Turnpike and rural segments of freeway have posted speed limits of up to 75 mph with a 40 mph minimum, according to the KHP website. KHP trooper warns of 'tire gator' danger on Kansas highways KHP spokeswoman April McCollum said there is a law in Kansas regarding the minimum speed regulation. It specifies that Kansas' head of transportation or local authorities have the ability to designate minimum speed limits within their jurisdictions based on the results of an engineering and traffic investigation. 'No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.' Kansas Statute 8-1561(a) excerpt KHP troopers do issue citations for drivers who are found to be going to slow and violating the above law. McCollum said the KHP issued the following number of citations over the past few years: 2020 – 63. 2021 – 50. 2022 – 40. 2023 – 42. 2024 – 49. Do you still have to slow down for work zones on the weekend in Kansas? 'Driving significantly slower than the flow of traffic can cause other drivers to react abruptly, leading to an increased risk of traffic crashes,' McCollum said. Drivers are allowed some wiggle room on this depending on current circumstances on the highway. However, drivers that aren't able to maintain the right speed are encouraged to get off the road if possible. 'Drivers are permitted to travel at a reduced speed for safety purposes, such as adverse road conditions or poor visibility,' McCollum said. 'Otherwise, vehicles that are unable to maintain a minimum speed should be removed from the roadway.' McCollum said the KHP generally asks that all drivers put away distractions while traveling on the state's highways and make sure everyone is wearing their seat belts. She also encourages drivers to obey the posted speed limit as well. What is the right way to use the left lane on Kansas highways? State troopers weigh in 'Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash,' McCollum said. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Deadly head-on crash reported in Cloud County
CLOUD COUNTY (KSNT) – The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) reports that there was a deadly head-on crash in Cloud County on Wednesday. Around 5 p.m., the first vehicle was driving east on US-24 south of Concordia and crossed the center line, hitting vehicle two head-on, according to the KHP. The second vehicle hit a guardrail, coming to rest in a north-side ditch. 50-year-old woman seriously injured in Brown Co. rollover crash No additional details were immediately available. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.