Kansas driving laws from the handbook

Speed limits

The basic speed law (K.S.A. 8-1557) comes first: never drive faster than is reasonable for the road, weather and traffic. Driving so slowly that you block normal traffic is also against the law.

Seat belts and child seats

All occupants must be buckled, and seat belt use is a primary violation, so an officer can stop you for it alone. For children, the handbook says:

• Under 4: a federally approved child safety seat
• 4 to 8: a child safety seat or booster seat, unless the child is taller than 4'9" or weighs more than 80 pounds, in which case a seat belt
• 8 and older: a seat belt

Phones, passing and school buses

Kansas law bans using any electronic device to write, send or read a written message while driving. GPS and weather reports aren't covered, and the handbook notes that talking on a phone isn't specifically illegal for licensed adults. Permit and restricted license holders have a stricter rule.

Signal at least 100 feet before you turn. Don't pass within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing, where a solid yellow line is on your side, or within 100 feet of a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on. Stop for a school, church or day care bus loading children, unless it's on the opposite roadway of a divided highway.

What are the Kansas driving laws on alcohol?

A blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more breaks the law, and drivers under 21 can be arrested for impairment at .02. Under the implied consent law (K.S.A. 8-1001), you can lose your license for a year if you refuse a test. The handbook says a first conviction can bring a fine of $750 to $1,000 plus court costs, at least 48 hours in jail or 100 hours of community service, a license suspension and an ignition interlock device.

When you can lose your license

The handbook says your license may be suspended for:

• Three moving violations within 12 months
• Refusing a chemical test for alcohol or drugs: 1 year for the first refusal, 2 for the second, 3 for the third and 10 for the fourth
• Failing to appear in court or to respond to a traffic ticket
• Not keeping continuous liability insurance
• Driving under the influence or testing at .08 or above
• Carrying an open container of liquor or cereal malt beverage
• Not reporting a traffic accident

Revocation, which is more serious, follows convictions such as vehicular homicide, reckless driving, leaving an injury crash without stopping, or eluding police.