ReadyK.S.A. Chapter 8 Article 17
Uniform Act Regulating Traffic
Equipment on Vehicles
Last Amended in 2023
8-1701 Scope and effect of sections in article 17; unlawful acts.
8-1702 Approval or disapproval of equipment by secretary of transportation.
8-1703 When lighted lamps required.
8-1704 Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps; method and conditions of measuring.
8-1705 Head lamps on motor vehicles.
8-1706 Tail lamps.
8-1707 Reflectors.
8-1708 Stop lamps and turn signals.
8-1709 Application of 8-1710 to 8-1714.
8-1710 Additional lighting equipment required on certain vehicles.
8-1711 Color of clearance lamps, identification lamps, side marker lamps and reflectors.
8-1712 Mounting of reflectors, clearance lamps and side marker lamps.
8-1713 Visibility requirements for reflectors, clearance lamps, identification lamps and side marker lamps.
8-1714 Operation of obstructed lamps not required on combination of vehicles.
8-1715 Lamps or flags required on projecting loads.
8-1716 Parked vehicles; lamps required; color; location; time for display of lighted lamps; depressing or dimming of head lamps.
8-1717 Lights, lamps and reflectors on farm tractors; 'slow-moving vehicle' and 'slow-moving vehicle emblem' defined; requirements for slow-moving vehicles; unlawful acts.
8-1718 Lamps and equipment required on implements of husbandry, road rollers, road machinery and animal-drawn vehicles.
8-1719 Spot lamps, fog lamps, auxiliary passing lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
8-1720 Lamps and lights on authorized emergency vehicles; alternately or simultaneously flashing head lamps.
8-1721 Stop lamps and signal lamps; color; visibility.
8-1722 Vehicular hazard warning lamps; warning lamps on police vehicles; trash trucks.
8-1723 Additional lighting equipment permitted.
8-1724 Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment; visibility; direction of beam; high beam indicator.
8-1725 Head lamps; use of; exception for alternately or simultaneously flashing head lamps.
8-1726 Single-beam road-lighting equipment permitted on certain vehicles.
8-1727 Alternate road-lighting equipment on certain vehicles; limitations on speed.
8-1728 Number of driving lamps required or permitted.
8-1729 Lights and signals; restrictions; exceptions for certain vehicles including school, church and day care buses.
8-1730 Lighting equipment and warning devices on school buses.
8-1730a Definitions of 'church bus' and 'day care program bus'; equipment and markings.
8-1731 Lights on highway construction and maintenance vehicles; rules and regulations of secretary.
8-1734 Braking systems for motor vehicles and combinations of vehicles; performance requirements; additional braking systems, when; antique vehicles exempted.
8-1738 Horns and warning devices.
8-1739 Mufflers and noise suppressing systems.
8-1740 Mirrors.
8-1741 Windshields and windows; damaged windshields prohibited; obstruction or impairment prohibited; wipers.
8-1742 Restrictions as to tire equipment.
8-1742a Sale of unsafe tires; misdemeanor.
8-1742b Wide-base single tires; prohibitions.
8-1743 Safety glazing material requirements; limitation on registration; misdemeanor.
8-1744 Flares or warning devices; vehicles subject to requirements; use, when required; unlawful acts; compliance with federal requirements.
8-1745 Display of vehicular hazard warning signal lamps and warning devices by certain stopped or disabled vehicles.
8-1746 Vehicles transporting hazardous materials; regulations by secretary, compliance; markings of and equipment on vehicles; misdemeanor.
8-1747 Air-conditioning equipment.
8-1749 Safety belts and shoulder harnesses.
8-1749a One-way glass and sun screening devices; requirements; penalties.
8-1749b Sun screening devices; definitions.
8-1749c Unlawful installation of sun screening device; penalty.
8-1759 Spot inspections by highway patrol; penalties.
8-1759a Inspection by highway patrol upon reasonable cause; notice of defects; penalties.
8-1761 Improper compression release engine braking system.
8-1762 Lighting devices on transporation network company vehicles.
8-1701. Scope and effect of sections in article 17; unlawful acts.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to drive or move or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this article, or which is equipped in any manner in violation of any provision of any section of this article 17, or for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required by any provision of any section of this article 17. Except as otherwise provided in K.S.A. 8-1742a, 8-1743, 8-1746 and 8-1750 to 8-1760, inclusive, and amendments thereto, any violation of this subsection (a) or of any other provision of this article 17 is a traffic infraction.
(b) Nothing contained in this article 17 shall be construed to prohibit the use of additional parts and accessories on any vehicle not inconsistent with the provisions of this article.
(c) The provisions of this article 17 with respect to equipment required on vehicles shall not apply to implements of husbandry, road machinery, road rollers or farm tractors except as specifically made applicable in this act.
(d) The provisions of this article 17 with respect to equipment required on vehicles shall not apply to motorcycles or motor-driven cycles, except as specifically made applicable by law.
(e) A low-speed vehicle which is in compliance with the equipment requirements in 49 C.F.R. 571.500 shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this article 17.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1701; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 14; L. 2000, ch. 179 § 22; July 1.
8-1702. Approval or disapproval of equipment by secretary of transportation.
(a) The secretary of transportation is hereby required to approve or disapprove any lighting device or other safety equipment, components or assemblies of a type for which approval is specifically required in this act within a reasonable time after such approval has been requested. Such approvals may be based upon certificates of approval and test reports furnished to the secretary by the American association of motor vehicle administrators.
(b) The secretary of transportation is further authorized to establish the procedure to be followed when request for approval of any lighting device or other safety equipment, component or assembly is submitted under this section.
(c) The secretary of transportation shall maintain and publish lists of all such devices, components or assemblies which have been approved by the secretary or under authority contained in this act.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1702; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 33; Aug. 15.
8-1703. When lighted lamps required.
(a) Every vehicle, except as provided in subsection (b), upon a highway within this state, at all times shall display lighted head and other lamps and illuminating devices as required for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles:
(1) From sunset to sunrise;
(2) when due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, including smoke or fog, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead,
(3) when windshield wipers are in continuous use as a result of rain, sleet or snow.
(b) Motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and motorized bicycles manufactured after January 1, 1978, shall display lighted head and tail lights at all times that such vehicles are operated on any highway.
(c) Law enforcement officers shall issue a warning citation to anyone violating subsection (a)(3).
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1703; L. 1982, ch. 45, § 1; L. 1990, ch. 49, § 1; L. 2006, ch. 182, § 3; July 1.
8-1704. Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps; method and conditions of measuring.
(a) Whenever any requirement is declared in this article as to distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall apply during the times stated in K.S.A. 8-1703 in respect to a vehicle without load when upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.
(b) Whenever any requirement is declared in this article as to the mounted height of lamps or devices it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1704; July 1.
8-1705. Head lamps on motor vehicles.
(a) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least two (2) head lamps with at least one (1) on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which head lamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this article.
(b) Every head lamp upon every motor vehicle manufactured or assembled after July 1, 1959, shall be located at a height of not more than fifty-four (54) inches nor less than twenty-four (24) inches to be measured as set forth in subsection (b) of K.S.A. 8-1704.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1705; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 16; April 19.
(a) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer, and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, shall be equipped with at least two (2) tail lamps mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required in K.S.A. 8-1703, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet to the rear, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to July 1, 1959, shall have at least one (1) tail lamp. On a combination of vehicles, only the tail lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified. On vehicles equipped with more than one (1) tail lamp, the lamps shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable.
(b) Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than seventy-two (72) inches nor less than fifteen (15) inches.
(c) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty (50) feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1706; July 1.
(a) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer shall carry on the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two (2) or more red reflectors meeting the requirements of this section: Provided,That vehicles of the types mentioned in K.S.A. 8-1710 shall be equipped with reflectors meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of K.S.A. 8-1712 and subsection (a) of K.S.A. 8-1713.
(b) Every such reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height not less than fifteen (15) inches nor more than sixty (60) inches measured as set forth in subsection (b) of K.S.A. 8-1704, and shall be of such size and characteristics and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within six hundred (600) feet to one hundred (100) feet from such vehicle when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps, except that reflectors on vehicles manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1970, shall be visible at night from all distances within three hundred fifty (350) feet to one hundred (100) feet when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1707; July 1.
8-1708. Stop lamps and turn signals.
(a) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer shall be equipped with two (2) or more stop lamps meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of K.S.A. 8-1721, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1953, shall be equipped with at least one stop lamp. On a combination of vehicles, only the stop lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified in subsection (a) of K.S.A. 8-1721.
(b) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer shall be equipped with electric turn signal lamps meeting the requirements of subsection (b) of K.S.A. 8-1721, except that passenger cars and trucks less than eighty (80) inches in width, manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1953, and vehicles registered under K.S.A. 8-194 need not be equipped with electric turn signal lamps.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1708; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 17; April 19.
8-1709. Application of 8-1710 to 8-1714.
K.S.A. 8-1710, 8-1711, 8-1712, 8-1713 and 8-1714, relating to clearance lamps, marker lamps and reflectors, shall apply as stated in said sections to vehicles of the type therein enumerated, namely buses, trucks, truck-tractors, motor homes, motor vehicles with mounted truck-campers, and trailers, semitrailers and pole trailers, respectively, when operated upon any highway, and said vehicle shall be equipped as required and all lamp equipment required shall be lighted at the times mentioned in K.S.A. 8-1703. For purposes of the sections enumerated above, a truck-camper, when mounted upon a motor vehicle, shall be considered part of the permanent structure of that motor vehicle.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1709; July 1.
8-1710. Additional lighting equipment required on certain vehicles.
In addition to other equipment required in this article, the following vehicles shall be equipped as herein stated.
(a) Buses, trucks, motor homes and motor vehicles with mounted truck-camper, 80 inches or more in overall width:
(1) On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side, and on vehicles manufactured or assembled after July 1, 1959, three identification lamps meeting the specifications of subsection (g);
(2) on the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side, and on vehicles manufactured or assembled after July 1, 1959, three identification lamps meeting the specifications of subsection (g);
(3) on each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear;
(4) on each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
(b) Trailers and semitrailers 80 inches or more in overall width, except boat trailers and house trailers for which special permits are required pursuant to K.S.A. 8-1911, and amendments thereto, for movement of such house trailers upon the highways of this state:
(1) On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side;
(2) on the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side, and on vehicles manufactured or assembled after July 1, 1959, three identification lamps meeting the specifications of subsection (g);
(3) on each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
(c) Trailers and semitrailers, except boat trailers and house trailers for which special permits are required pursuant to K.S.A. 8-1911, and amendments thereto, for movement of such house trailers upon the highways of this state:
On each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
(d) Truck-tractors:
On the front, two cab clearance lamps, one at each side, and on vehicles manufactured or assembled after July 1, 1959, three identification lamps meeting the specifications of subsection (g).
(e) Trailers, semitrailers and pole trailers 30 feet or more in overall length:
On each side, one amber side marker lamp and one amber reflector, centrally located with respect to the length of the vehicle.
(f) Pole trailers:
(1) On each side, one amber marker lamp at or near the front of the load;
(2) one amber reflector at or near the front of the load;
(3) on the rearmost support for the load, one combination marker lamp showing amber to the front and red to the rear and side, mounted to indicate maximum width of the pole trailer.
(g) Whenever required or permitted by this article, identification lamps shall be grouped in a horizontal row, with lamp centers spaced not less than six nor more than 12 inches apart, and mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle as close as practicable to the vertical centerline, except that where the cab of a vehicle is not more than 42 inches wide at the front roof line, a single identification lamp at the center of the cab shall be deemed to comply with the requirements for front identification lamps.
(h) Boat trailers 80 inches or more in overall width:
(1) On each side, at or near the midpoint, one clearance lamp performing the function of both a front and rear clearance lamp;
(2) on each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear;
(3) on each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1710; L. 1975, ch. 38, § 1; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 18; L. 1994, ch. 342, § 2; July 1.
8-1711. Color of clearance lamps, identification lamps, side marker lamps and reflectors.
(a) Front clearance lamps, identification lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the front or on the side near the front of a vehicle shall display or reflect an amber color.
(b) Rear clearance lamps, identification lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the rear or on the sides near the rear of a vehicle shall display or reflect a red color.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1711; July 1.
8-1712. Mounting of reflectors, clearance lamps and side marker lamps.
(a) Reflectors when required by K.S.A. 8-1710 shall be mounted at a height not less than twenty-four (24) inches and not more than sixty (60) inches above the ground on which the vehicle stands, except that if the highest part of the permanent structure of the vehicle is less than twenty-four (24) inches the reflector at such point shall be mounted as high as that part of the permanent structure will permit.
The rear reflectors on a pole trailer may be mounted on each side of the bolster or load.
Any required red reflector on the rear of a vehicle may be incorporated with the tail lamp, but such reflector shall meet all the other reflector requirements of this article.
(b) Clearance lamps, so far as is practicable, shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle in such a manner as to indicate the extreme height and width of the vehicle, except that when rear identification lamps are required and are mounted as high as is practicable, rear clearance lamps may be mounted at optional height and when the mounting of front clearance lamps results in such lamps failing to indicate the extreme width of the trailer, such lamps may be mounted at optional height but must indicate, as near as practicable, the extreme width of the trailer. Clearance lamps on truck-tractors shall be located so as to indicate the extreme width of the truck-tractor cab. Clearance lamps and side marker lamps may be mounted in combination if illumination is given as required herein with reference to both.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1712; July 1.
8-1713. Visibility requirements for reflectors, clearance lamps, identification lamps and side marker lamps.
(a) Every reflector upon any vehicle referred to in K.S.A. 8-1710 shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be readily visible at nighttime from all distances within six hundred (600) feet to one hundred (100) feet from the vehicle when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps, except that the visibility for reflectors on vehicles manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1970, shall be measured in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps. Reflectors required to be mounted on the sides of the vehicle shall reflect the required color of light to the sides, and those mounted on the rear shall reflect a red color to the rear.
(b) Front and rear clearance lamps and identification lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at all distances between five hundred (500) and fifty (50) feet from the front and rear, respectively, of the vehicle.
(c) Side marker lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at all distances between five hundred (500) and fifty (50) feet from the side of the vehicle on which mounted.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1713; July 1.
8-1714. Operation of obstructed lamps not required on combination of vehicles.
Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in combination during the time that lights are required, any lamp, except tail lamps, which, by reason of its location on a vehicle of the combination, would be obscured by another vehicle of the combination, need not be lighted, but this shall not affect the requirement that lighted clearance lamps be displayed on the front of the foremost vehicle required to have clearance lamps, nor that all lights required on the rear of the rearmost vehicle of any combination shall be lighted.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1714; July 1.
8-1715. Lamps or flags required on projecting loads.
Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four (4) feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the times specified in K.S.A. 8-1703, two (2) red lamps visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the rear, two (2) red reflectors visible at night from all distances within six hundred (600) feet to one hundred (100) feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps and located so as to indicate maximum width, and on each side one (1) red lamp visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the side and located so as to indicate maximum overhang. There shall be displayed at all other times on any vehicle having a load which extends beyond its sides or more than four (4) feet beyond its rear, red flags, not less than twelve (12) inches square, marking the extremities of such load, at each point where a lamp would otherwise be required by this section.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1715; July 1.
8-1716. Parked vehicles; lamps required; color; location; time for display of lighted lamps; depressing or dimming of head lamps.
(a) Every vehicle shall be equipped with one (1) or more lamps which, when lighted, shall display a white or amber light visible from a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet to the front of the vehicle, and a red light visible from a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet to the rear of the vehicle. The location of said lamp or lamps always shall be such that at least one (1) lamp or combination of lamps meeting the requirements of this section is installed as near as practicable to the side of the vehicle which is closest to passing traffic.
(b) Whenever a vehicle is lawfully parked upon a street or highway during the hours between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise, and in the event there is sufficient light to reveal persons and vehicles within a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet upon such street or highway, no lights need be displayed upon such parked vehicle.
(c) Whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto, whether attended or unattended, during the hours between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise and there is insufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet upon such highway, such vehicle so parked or stopped shall be equipped with and shall display lamps meeting the requirements of subsection (a).
(d) Any lighted head lamps upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1716; July 1.
8-1717. Lights, lamps and reflectors on farm tractors; 'slow-moving vehicle' and 'slow-moving vehicle emblem' defined; requirements for slow-moving vehicles; unlawful acts.
(a) Every farm tractor manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1975, shall be equipped with vehicular hazard warning lights of a type described in K.S.A. 8-1722 and amendments thereto, visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the front and rear in normal sunlight, which shall be displayed whenever any such vehicle is operated upon a highway.
(b) Every farm tractor manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1975, shall at all times, and every other such motor vehicle shall at all times mentioned in K.S.A. 8-1703 and amendments thereto, be equipped with lamps and reflectors as follows:
(1) At least two head lamps meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1724, 8-1726 or 8-1727 and amendments thereto.
(2) At least one red lamp visible when lighted from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear mounted as far to the left of the center of the vehicle as practicable.
(3) At least two red reflectors visible from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps.
(c) On every combination of farm tractor and towed farm equipment or towed implement of husbandry, the farm tractor shall be equipped as required in subsections (a) and (b), and the towed unit shall be equipped at all times mentioned in K.S.A. 8-1703 and amendments thereto with lamps and reflectors as follows:
(1) If the towed unit or its load extends more than four feet to the rear of the tractor or obscures any light thereon, the unit shall be equipped on the rear with at least one red lamp visible when lighted from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear, mounted as far to the left of the center of the towed unit as practicable, and at least two red reflectors visible from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps.
(2) If the towed unit of such combination extends more than four feet to the left of the center line of the tractor, the unit shall be equipped on the front with an amber reflector visible from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet to the front when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps. This reflector shall be so positioned to indicate, as nearly as practicable, the extreme left projection of the towed unit.
(3) If the towed unit or its load obscures either of the vehicle hazard warning lights on the tractor, the towed unit shall be equipped with vehicle hazard warning lights described in subsection (a).
(d) The two red reflectors required in the preceding subsections shall be so positioned as to show from the rear, as nearly as practicable, the extreme width of the vehicle or combination carrying them. If all other requirements are met, reflective tape or paint may be used in lieu of the reflectors required by subsection (c).
(e) As used in this section:
(1) 'Slow-moving vehicle' means any vehicle, farm tractor, implement of husbandry, equipment or piece of machinery designed for use at speeds of less than 25 miles per hour, or which is normally moved at speeds of less than 25 miles per hour, and includes all road construction or maintenance machinery, except when such machinery is engaged in actual construction or maintenance work and there is either a flagman or clearly visible warning signs to warn of such machinery's presence on the roadway.
(2) 'Slow-moving vehicle emblem' means a triangular-shaped emblem of substantial construction having equal sides of 14 inches and an altitude of 12 inches, and such emblem shall be painted a fluorescent yellow-orange color and bordered with reflective red-colored strips having a minimum width of 1 3/4 inches, with the vertices of the overall triangle truncated in such a manner that the remaining altitude shall be at least 14 inches.
(f) The secretary of transportation shall approve slow-moving vehicle emblems which meet the requirements of this act, and shall compile and publish a list of approved emblems and the manufacturers thereof.
(g) A slow-moving vehicle emblem shall be mounted or affixed on the rear of the slow-moving vehicle in compliance with standard S276.2 of the American society of agricultural engineers, as such standard was revised in March, 1968.
(h) No person shall operate any slow-moving vehicle on any highway which is within the national system of interstate and defense highways, the state highway system or the state system of modern express highways and freeways, unless such vehicle is equipped with a properly mounted slow-moving vehicle emblem, which has been approved by the secretary of transportation, and which is maintained in a clean, fluorescent and reflective condition, or display a slow-moving vehicle emblem on any vehicle other than a slow-moving vehicle or display such emblem on a slow-moving vehicle which is being operated at a speed of 25 miles per hour or more, or to use such emblem in any manner other than authorized by this section.
(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a low-speed vehicle shall not be required to display a slow-moving vehicle emblem.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1717; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 19; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 34; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 15; L. 2000, ch. 179, § 23; July 1.
8-1718. Lamps and equipment required on implements of husbandry, road rollers, road machinery and animal-drawn vehicles.
(a) Every vehicle, including animal-drawn vehicles and vehicles referred to in subsection (c) of K.S.A. 8-1701, not specifically required by the provisions of other sections in this article to be equipped with lamps or other lighting devices, shall be equipped, at all times specified in K.S.A. 8-1703, with at least one (1) lamp displaying a white light visible from a distance of not less than one thousand (1,000) feet to the front of said vehicle, and also shall be equipped with two (2) lamps displaying red light visible from a distance of not less than one thousand (1,000) feet to the rear of said vehicle, or as an alternative, one (1) lamp displaying a red light visible from a distance of not less than one thousand (1,000) feet to the rear and two (2) red reflectors visible from all distances of six hundred (600) to one hundred (100) feet to the rear when illuminated by the lawful lower beams of head lamps.
(b) Every animal-drawn vehicle shall be equipped at all times with a slow-moving vehicle emblem complying with subsection (g) of K.S.A. 8-1717.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1718; July 1.
8-1719. Spot lamps, fog lamps, auxiliary passing lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
(a) Spot lamps.Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two (2) spot lamps. Every lighted spot lamp emitting a white light shall be so aimed and used that no part of the high intensity portion of the beam will strike the windshield, or any windows, mirror or occupant of another vehicle in motion. The limitations of this subsection shall not apply to a police vehicle used as an authorized emergency vehicle.
(b) Fog lamps.Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two (2) fog lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than twelve (12) inches nor more than thirty (30) inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall project, at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet ahead, higher than a level of four (4) inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes. Lighted fog lamps meeting the above requirements may be used with lower head lamp beams as specified in subsection (a) (2) of K.S.A. 8-1724.
(c) Auxiliary passing lamps.Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two (2) auxiliary passing lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than twenty-four (24) inches nor more than forty-two (42) inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of K.S.A. 8-1724 shall apply to any combination of head lamps and auxiliary passing lamps.
(d) Auxiliary driving lamps.Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two (2) auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than sixteen (16) inches nor more than forty-two (42) inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of K.S.A. 8-1724 shall apply to any combination of head lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1719; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 20; April 19.
8-1720. Lamps and lights on authorized emergency vehicles; alternately or simultaneously flashing head lamps.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), every authorized emergency vehicle, in addition to any other equipment required by this act, shall be equipped with signal lamps mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which shall be capable of displaying to the front two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level and to the rear two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level, or in lieu thereof, any such authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with at least one rotating or oscillating light, which shall be mounted as high as practicable on such vehicle and which shall display to the front and rear of such vehicle a flashing red light or alternate flashes of red and white lights or red and blue lights in combination. All lights required or authorized by this subsection shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. Every authorized emergency vehicle may, but need not, be equipped with head lamps which alternately flash or simultaneously flash.
(b) A police vehicle when used as an authorized emergency vehicle may, but need not, be equipped with:
(1) Head lamps which alternately flash or simultaneously flash;
(2) flashing lights specified in subsection (a), but any flashing lights, used on a police vehicle, other than the flashing lights specified in K.S.A. 8-1722, and amendments thereto, rotating or oscillating lights or alternately flashing head lamps or simultaneously flashing head lamps, shall be red in color; or
(3) rotating or oscillating lights, which may display a flashing red light or alternate flashes of red and blue lights in combination.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1720; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 21; L. 1989, ch. 43, § 1; L. 1991, ch. 41, § 1; L. 2005, ch. 18, § 1; July 1.
8-1721. Stop lamps and signal lamps; color; visibility.
(a) Any vehicle may be equipped and when required under this act shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber, visible from a distance of not less than three hundred (300) feet to the rear in normal sunlight, and which shall be actuated upon application of the service or foot brake, and which may, but need not, be incorporated with one (1) or more other rear lamps.
(b) Any vehicle may be equipped and when required under this act shall be equipped with electric turn signals which shall indicate an intention to turn by flashing lights showing to the front and rear of a vehicle, or on a combination of vehicles on the side of the vehicle or combination toward which the turn is to be made. The lamps showing to the front shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and, when signaling, shall emit amber light: Provided,That on any vehicle manufactured prior to July 1, 1973, the lamps showing to the front may emit white or amber light, or any shade of light between white and amber. The lamps showing to the rear shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and, when signaling, shall emit a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber. Turn signal lamps shall be visible from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet to the front and rear in normal sunlight. Turn signal lamps may, but need not be, incorporated in other lamps on the vehicle.
(c) Every new motor vehicle sold within this state shall be equipped with turn signals meeting the requirements of subsection (b).
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1721; July 1.
8-1722. Vehicular hazard warning lamps; warning lamps on police vehicles; trash trucks.
(a) Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing.
(b) Every bus, truck, truck tractor, trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer 80 inches or more in overall width or 30 feet or more in overall length shall be equipped with lamps meeting the requirements of this section.
(c) Vehicular hazard warning signal lamps used to display such warning to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall display simultaneously flashing amber lights. On any vehicle manufactured prior to January 1, 1969, the lamps showing to the front may display simultaneously flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used to display such warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. Such warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(d) Any police vehicle, when used as an authorized emergency vehicle, may be equipped with warning lamps mounted as widely spaced laterally as practicable, either inside such vehicle in front of the rear window or on the roof of such vehicle, and capable of displaying two alternately flashing amber lights to the rear of such vehicle. Such warning lamps may be used in lieu of or in combination with any other vehicular hazard warning signal lamps used to display such warning to the rear, and shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(e) Every truck designed and used for collection and disposal of domestic or commercial waste or trash shall be equipped as provided in subsection (c) and shall operate such lamps when collecting or transporting waste or trash and traveling 15 miles per hour or less.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1722; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 22; L. 1978, ch. 39, § 1; L. 1981, ch. 45, § 1; July 1.
8-1723. Additional lighting equipment permitted.
(a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.
(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running-board courtesy lamp on each side which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
(c) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with one or more back-up lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps, but any such back-up lamp or lamps shall not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
(d) Any vehicle 80 inches or more in overall width, if not otherwise required by K.S.A. 8-1710, and amendments thereto, may be equipped with not more than three identification lamps showing to the front which shall emit an amber light without glare and not more than three identification lamps showing to the rear which shall emit a red light without glare. Such lamps shall be mounted as specified in K.S.A. 8-1710(g), and amendments thereto.
(e) Any vehicle may be equipped with one or more side marker lamps and any such lamp may be flashed in conjunction with turn or vehicular hazard warning signals. Side marker lamps located toward the front of a vehicle shall be amber and side marker lamps located toward the rear shall be red.
(f) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with ground effect lighting, except that such lighting shall not flash, be any shade of red nor shall any portion of the bulb or lighting fixture be visible. ‘‘Ground effect lighting’’ means lights placed underneath the motor vehicle for the purpose of illuminating the ground below the motor vehicle creating a halo light effect.
(g) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with head lamps which alternately flash or simultaneously flash when such motor vehicle is being used as the lead motor vehicle of a funeral procession. A funeral hearse may serve as a funeral lead vehicle.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1723; L. 1994, ch. 342, § 3; L. 2003, ch. 100, § 5; L. 2005, ch. 18, § 2; L. 2023, ch. 52, § 6; July 1.
8-1724. Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment; visibility; direction of beam; high beam indicator.
(a) Except as hereinafter provided, the head lamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations, and in addition, such lamps may be so arranged that such selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:
(1) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least four hundred fifty (450) feet ahead for all conditions of loading.
(2) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred fifty (150) feet ahead; and on a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.
(b) Every new motor vehicle registered in this state which has multiple-beam road-lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the head lamp is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. Said indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1724; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 23; April 19.
8-1725. Head lamps; use of; exception for alternately or simultaneously flashing head lamps.
When a motor vehicle is being operated on a highway or shoulder adjacent thereto during the times specified in K.S.A. 8-1703, and amendments thereto, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations:
(a) When the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, specified in subsection (a)(2) of K.S.A. 8-1724, and amendments thereto, or subsection (b)(2) of K.S.A. 8-1805, and amendments thereto, shall be dimmed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.
(b) When the driver of a vehicle approaches another vehicle from the rear, within 300 feet, except when engaged in the act of overtaking and passing, such driver shall use a distribution of light permissible under this article other than the uppermost distribution of light specified in subsection (a)(1) of K.S.A. 8-1724, and amendments thereto, or subsection (b)(1) of K.S.A. 8-1805, and amendments thereto.
(c) The requirements in subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to:
(1) Authorized emergency vehicles displaying alternately flashing or simultaneously flashing head lamps as provided in K.S.A. 8-1720, and amendments thereto, or
(2) school buses displaying alternately flashing or simultaneously flashing head lamps as provided in K.S.A. 8-1730, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1725; L. 1984, ch. 40, § 1; L. 1989, ch. 43, § 2; L. 2000 ch. 74 § 1; July 1.
8-1726. Single-beam road-lighting equipment permitted on certain vehicles.
Head lamp systems which provide only a single distribution of light shall be permitted on all farm tractors, regardless of date of manufacture, and on other motor vehicles manufactured and sold prior to July 1, 1938, in lieu of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment herein specified, if the single distribution of light complies with the following requirements and limitations:
(1) The head lamps shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high intensity portion of the light at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet ahead shall project higher than a level of five (5) inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes, and in no case higher than forty-two (42) inches above the level on which the vehicle stands at a distance of seventy-five (75) feet ahead.
(2) The intensity shall be sufficient to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least two hundred (200) feet.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1726; July 1.
8-1727. Alternate road-lighting equipment on certain vehicles; limitations on speed.
Any motor vehicle may be operated under the conditions specified in K.S.A. 8-1703 when equipped with two (2) lighted lamps upon the front thereof capable of revealing persons and vehicles one hundred (100) feet ahead in lieu of lamps required in K.S.A. 8-1724 or 8-1726: Provided, that at no time shall it be operated at a speed in excess of twenty-five (25) miles per hour.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1727; July 1.
8-1728. Number of driving lamps required or permitted.
(a) At all times specified in K.S.A. 8-1703, at least two (2) lighted head lamps shall be displayed, one (1) on each side at the front of every motor vehicle, except when such vehicle is parked, subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
(b) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of intensity greater than three hundred (300) candlepower, not more than a total of four (4) of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1728; July 1.
8-1729. Lights and signals; restrictions; exceptions for certain vehicles including school, church and day care buses.
(a) During the times specified in K.S.A. 8-1703, and amendments thereto, any lighted lamp or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle, other than head lamps, spot lamps, auxiliary lamps, flashing turn signals, vehicular hazard warning lamps and school bus warning lamps, that projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the high intensity portion of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
(b) Except as required or permitted in K.S.A. 8-1720 and 8-1730, and amendments thereto, or K.S.A. 2021 Supp. 8-1762, and amendments thereto, no person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any highway with any lamp or device capable of displaying a red light visible from directly in front of the center thereof, nor shall any vehicle or equipment upon any highway have any lamp or device displaying any color of light visible from directly in front of the center thereof except white or amber or any shade of color between white and amber.
(c) Flashing lights are prohibited except as authorized or required in K.S.A. 8-1717, 8-1720, 8-1721, 8-1722, 8-1723, 8-1730, 8-1730a and 8-1731, and amendments thereto.
(d) The flashing lights described in K.S.A. 8-1720, 8-1730 and 8-1730a, and amendments thereto, shall not be used on any vehicle other than a school bus, church bus or day care program bus, as defined in K.S.A. 8-1730a and amendments thereto, or an authorized emergency vehicle.
(e) All lighting devices and reflectors mounted on the rear of any vehicle shall display or reflect a red color, except the stop light or other signal device, which may be red, amber or yellow, and except that the light illuminating the license plate shall be white and the light emitted by a back-up lamp shall be white or amber.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1729; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 24; L. 1978, ch. 40, § 1; L. 1980, ch. 43, § 1; L. 2005, ch. 18, § 3; L. 2019, ch. 61, § 2; July 1.
8-1730. Lighting equipment and warning devices on school buses.
(a) Every school bus, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required by this act, shall be equipped with:
(1) signal lamps mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which shall display to the front two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level and to the rear two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level, and these lights shall be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight, and;
(2) every new school bus put into initial service after July 1, 2007, shall be equipped with a white flashing strobe light mounted on the roof of such bus to afford optimum visibility.
(b) Any school bus, in addition to the lights required by subsection (a), may be equipped with:
(1) yellow signal lamps mounted near each of the four red lamps and at the same level but closer to the vertical centerline of the bus, which shall display two alternately flashing yellow lights to the front and two alternately flashing yellow lights to the rear, and these lights shall be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. These lights shall be displayed by the school bus driver at least 200 feet, but not more than 1,000 feet, before every stop at which the alternately flashing red lights required by subsection (a) will be actuated, or
(2) head lamps which alternately flash on low beam or simultaneously flash on low beam, except such head lamps shall only be activated during daylight hours.
(c) The state board of education is authorized to adopt rules and regulations promulgating standards and specifications applicable to lighting equipment on and special warning devices to be carried by school buses consistent with the provisions of this act. Such standards and specifications shall correlate with and so far as consistent with the provisions of this act conform to the specifications then current as approved by the society of automotive engineers.
(d) The provisions of this section shall be subject to the provisions contained in K.S.A. 8-2009a, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1730; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 25; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 35; L. 1976, ch. 40, § 8; L. 1994, ch. 201, § 3; L. 2000, ch. 74, § 2; L. 2006, ch. 103, § 1; July 1.
8-1730a. Definitions of 'church bus' and 'day care program bus'; equipment and markings.
(a) As used in chapter 8 of Kansas Statutes Annotated, 'church bus' means every bus owned by a religious organization, and operated for the transportation of persons to or from services or activities of such religious organization. As used in this section, 'religious organization' means any organization, church, body of communicants or group, gathered in common membership for mutual edification in piety, worship and religious observances, or a society of individuals united for religious purposes at a definite place.
(b) As used in chapter 8 of Kansas Statutes Annotated 'day care program' means the same as is ascribed thereto in K.S.A. 39-1006, and amendments thereto, and 'day care program bus' means every bus used primarily to carry out functions of a day care program or used by a child care facility licensed by the Kansas department of health and environment who provides transportation for children six through 18 years of age.
.(c) Any church bus or day care program bus, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required by law, may be equipped with: (1) Signal lamps which conform to the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1730, and amendments thereto, and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto; and (2) a stop signal arm which conforms to requirements applicable to school buses which have been adopted by rules and regulations of the state board of education.
History: L. 1978, ch. 40, § 3; L. 1980, ch. 43, § 2; L. 1994, ch. 201, § 4; L. 2001, ch. 142, § 4; July 1.
8-1731. Lights on highway construction and maintenance vehicles; rules and regulations of secretary.
The secretary of transportation shall adopt rules or regulations establishing specifications and rules governing the design and use of special flashing lights on vehicles engaged in highway construction or maintenance operations.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1731; L. 1975, ch. 426, § 47; Aug. 15.
8-1734. Braking systems for motor vehicles and combinations of vehicles; performance requirements; additional braking systems, when; antique vehicles exempted.
(a) Every motor vehicle and every combination of vehicles shall have a service braking system which will stop such vehicle or combination within forty (40) feet from an initial speed of twenty (20) miles per hour on a level, dry, smooth, hard surface.
(b) Every motor vehicle and combination of vehicles shall have a parking brake system adequate to hold such vehicle or combination on any grade on which it is operated under all conditions of loading, on a surface free from snow, ice or loose material.
(c) When necessary for the safe operation of any vehicle or class of vehicles, the secretary of transportation may require additional braking systems.
(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to vehicles registered pursuant to K.S.A. 8-166 et seq.and any amendments thereto.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1734; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 26; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 38; Aug. 15.
8-1738. Horns and warning devices.
(a) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation shall give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.
(b) No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
(c) Any vehicle may be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal. Such a theft alarm signal device may use a whistle, bell, horn or other audible signal but shall not use a siren.
(d) Every authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with a siren, whistle or bell, capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet and of a type approved by the secretary of transportation, but such siren shall not be used except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which said latter events the driver of such vehicle shall sound said siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof.
(e) Every truck specifically designed and equipped and used exclusively for garbage, refuse or solid waste disposal operations shall be equipped with a whistle, bell or other audible signal. Such whistle, bell or other audible signal shall be used only when the driver of the truck is backing such truck. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a city may adopt an ordinance prohibiting the activation of such whistle, bell or other audible signal during specific periods of time during the day.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1738; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 40; L. 2004, ch. 114, § 2, July 1.
8-1739. Mufflers and noise suppressing systems.
(a) Every vehicle shall be equipped, maintained and operated so as to prevent excessive or unusual noise. Every motor vehicle at all times shall be equipped with a muffler or other effective noise suppressing system in good working order and in constant operation, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass or similar device.
(b) The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1739; July 1.
(a) After January 1, 1975, every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror mounted on the left side of the vehicle and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle.
(b) Every motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, shall be equipped with an additional mirror mounted either inside the vehicle approximately in the center or outside the vehicle on the right side and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle.
(c) All mirrors required by regulations of the United States department of transportation shall be maintained in good condition.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1740; July 1.
8-1741. Windshields and windows; damaged windshields prohibited; obstruction or impairment prohibited; wipers.
(a) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings or side or rear windows of such vehicle which substantially obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver's clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.
(b) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with a damaged front windshield or side or rear windows which substantially obstructs the driver's clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.
(c) The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle.
(d) Every windshield wiper upon a motor vehicle shall be maintained in good working order.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1741; L. 1993, ch. 37, § 1; July 1.
8-1742. Restrictions as to tire equipment.
(a) Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery.
(b) No person shall operate or move on any highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer having any metal tire in contact with the roadway.
(c) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use:
(1) Farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway;
(2) tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid;
(3) studded traction equipment upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid; or
(4) pneumatic tires having metallic or nonmetallic studs designed to improve traction without materially injuring the surface of the highway. To qualify under paragraph (3) or (4), such tires or studded traction equipment shall be approved by the secretary of transportation by adoption of rules and regulations, and their use may be limited to certain months or types of vehicles by such rules and regulations.
(d) The secretary of transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may issue special permits authorizing the operation upon a highway of traction engines or tractors having movable tracks with transverse corrugations upon the periphery of such movable tracks or farm tractors or other farm machinery, the operation of which upon a highway would otherwise be prohibited under this section.
(e) It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles having one or more tires in an unsafe condition. A solid rubber tire is in an unsafe condition if it does not comply with the provisions of subsection (a). A pneumatic tire is in an unsafe condition if it has:
(1) Any part of the ply or cord exposed;
(2) any bump, bulge or separation;
(3) a tread design depth of less than 1/16 inch measured in any two or more adjacent tread grooves, exclusive of tie bars, or, for those tires with tread wear indicators worn to the level of the tread wear indicators in any two tread grooves;
(4) a marking 'not for highway use' or 'for racing purposes only' or 'unsafe for highway use';
(5) tread of sidewall cracks, cuts or snags deep enough to expose the body cord;
(6) been regrooved or recut below the original tread design depth, excepting special taxi tires which have extra undertread rubber and are identified as such; or
(7) such other conditions as may be reasonably demonstrated to render it unsafe.
(f) The provisions of subsection (e) shall not apply to a vehicle or combination of vehicles being transported by a wrecker or tow truck, as defined in K.S.A. 66-1329, and amendments thereto.
(g) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle with a single tire on any hubs configured for a dual tire assembly. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply: (1) To any truck registered for a gross weight of 20,000 pounds or less; (2) to any vehicle or combination of vehicles operating with wide-base single tires, as defined in K.S.A. 1998 Supp. 8-1742b, and amendments thereto, on any hubs configured for a dual tire assembly; (3) to any single axle with hubs configured for a dual tire assembly when such single axle does not exceed 9,000 pounds and is a part of a triple-axle combination; or (4) in cases of emergency.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1742; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 41; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 16; L. 1986, ch. 42, § 1; L. 1993, ch. 262, § 1; L. 1994, ch. 342, § 4; July 1.
8-1742a. Sale of unsafe tires; misdemeanor.
No person in the business of selling tires shall sell or offer for sale for highway use any tire which is in unsafe condition or which has tread depth of less than 1/16 inch measured as provided in subsection (e) of K.S.A. 8-1742 and amendments thereto. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
History: L. 1984, ch. 39, § 17; Jan. 1, 1985.
8-1742b. Wide-base single tires; prohibitions.
(a) As used in this section, 'wide-base single tires' means all tires having a section width, as specified by the manufacturer, of 14 inches or more.
(b) The following shall apply where wide-base single tires are used in the operation of any vehicle or combination of vehicles:
(1) The maximum load for a wide-base single tire on a steering axle shall not exceed 600 pounds per inch of tire section width. The maximum load for a wide-base single tire on any other axle shall not exceed 575 pounds per inch of tire section width.
(2) No wide-base single tire shall exceed the load designated by the manufacturer; and
(3) the maximum tire inflation pressures shall be as designated by the manufacturer.
(c) The provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection (b) shall apply to all wide-based single tires purchased after July 1, 1993.
(d) Any conviction or forfeiture of bail or bond for any violation of this section shall not be construed as a moving traffic violation for the purpose of K.S.A. 8-255, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1993, ch. 125, § 1; July 1.
8-1743. Safety glazing material requirements; limitation on registration; misdemeanor.
(a) No person shall sell any new motor vehicle as specified in this section, nor shall any such new motor vehicle be registered, unless such vehicle is equipped with safety glazing material when glazing materials are used in doors, windows and windshields. This subsection (a) shall apply to all passenger-type motor vehicles, including passenger buses and school buses. This subsection (a) shall not apply to glazing material in compartments of trucks and truck tractors not designed and equipped for persons to ride therein.
(b) No person shall sell or affix to a motor vehicle any truck-camper manufactured or assembled after July 1, 1968, unless such truck-camper is equipped with safety glazing material where glazing material is used in doors and windows.
(c) The division of vehicles shall not register any motor vehicle which is subject to the provisions of this section unless it is equipped with safety glazing material, and the division shall suspend the registration of any such motor vehicle which is not so equipped until it conforms to the requirements of this section.
(d) No person shall replace any glass or glazing materials used in partitions, doors, windows or windshields in any motor vehicle with any material other than safety glazing material.
(e) This section is subject to K.S.A. 8-2009a.
(f) As used in this section, 'safety glazing material' means glazing material which conforms to the American national standard 'safety code for safety glazing materials for glazing motor vehicles operating on land highways,' Z26.1-1966, July 15, 1966, as supplemented by Z26.1a-1969, March 7, 1969.
(g) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1743; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 42; L. 1976, ch. 40, § 9; L. 1979, ch. 42, § 1; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 18; Jan. 1, 1985.
8-1744. Flares or warning devices; vehicles subject to requirements; use, when required; unlawful acts; compliance with federal requirements.
(a) No person shall operate any truck, bus or truck-tractor, or any motor vehicle towing a trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer eighty (80) inches or more in width or thirty (30) feet or more in length, upon any highway outside an urban district or upon any divided highway at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise unless there shall be carried in such vehicles the following equipment, except as provided in subsection (b):
(1) At least three (3) flares or three (3) red electric lanterns or three (3) portable red emergency reflectors, each of which shall be capable of being seen and distinguished at a distance of not less than six hundred (600) feet under normal atmospheric conditions at nighttime.
No flare, fusee, electric lantern or warning flag shall be used for the purpose of compliance with the requirements of this section, unless such equipment is of a type which has been submitted to the secretary of transportation and approved by the secretary. No portable reflector unit shall be used for the purpose of compliance with the requirements of this section, unless it is so designed and constructed as to be capable of reflecting red light clearly visible from all distances within six hundred (600) feet to one hundred (100) feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps, and unless it is of a type which has been submitted to and approved by the secretary of transportation.
(2) At least three (3) red-burning fusees, unless red electric lanterns or red portable emergency reflectors are carried.
(b) No person shall operate at the time and under conditions stated in subsection (a) any motor vehicle used for the transportation of explosives or any cargo tank truck used for the transportation of flammable liquids or compressed gases, unless there shall be carried in such vehicle three (3) red electric lanterns or three (3) portable red emergency reflectors meeting the requirements of subsection (a), and there shall not be carried in any said vehicle, or in any vehicle using compressed gas as a fuel, any flares, fusees or signal produced by flame.
(c) No person shall operate any vehicle described in subsection (a) or (b) upon any highway outside of an urban district or upon a divided highway at any time when lighted lamps are not required by K.S.A. 8-1703, unless there shall be carried in such vehicle at least two (2) red flags, not less than twelve (12) inches square, with standards to support such flags.
(d) Any person who is subject to requirements of any federal agency with respect to flares, fusees, electric lanterns or warning flags and who is in compliance with such federal regulations shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this section and K.S.A. 8-1745.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1744; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 27; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 43; Aug. 15.
8-1745. Display of vehicular hazard warning signal lamps and warning devices by certain stopped or disabled vehicles.
(a) Whenever any truck, bus, truck-tractor, trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer eighty (80) inches or more in overall width or thirty (30) feet or more in overall length is stopped upon a roadway or adjacent shoulder, the driver immediately shall actuate vehicular hazard warning signal lamps meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1722. Such lights need not be displayed by a vehicle parked lawfully in an urban district, or stopped lawfully to receive or discharge passengers, or stopped to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with the directions of a police officer or an official traffic-control device, or while the devices specified in subsections (b) to (h) are in place.
(b) Whenever any vehicle of a type referred to in subsection (a) is disabled, or stopped for more than ten (10) minutes, upon a roadway outside of an urban district at any time when lighted lamps are required, the driver of such vehicle shall display the following warning devices, except as provided in subsection (c):
(1) A lighted fusee, a lighted red electric lantern or a portable red emergency reflector shall immediately be placed at the traffic side of the vehicle in the direction of the nearest approaching traffic.
(2) As soon thereafter as possible but in any event within the burning period of the fusee, the driver shall place three (3) liquid-burning flares, or three
(3) lighted red electric lanterns, or three (3) portable red emergency reflectors on the roadway in the following order:
(i) One (1) approximately one hundred (100) feet from the disabled vehicle in the center of the lane occupied by such vehicle and toward traffic approaching in that lane.
(ii) One (1) approximately one hundred (100) feet in the opposite direction from the disabled vehicle and in the center of the traffic lane occupied by such vehicle.
(iii) One (1) at the traffic side of the disabled vehicle not less than ten (10) feet rearward or forward thereof in the direction of the nearest approaching traffic. If a lighted red electric lantern or a red portable emergency reflector has been placed at the traffic side of the vehicle in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, it may be used for this purpose.
(c) Whenever any vehicle referred to in this section is disabled, or stopped for more than ten (10) minutes, within five hundred (500) feet of a curve, hillcrest or other obstruction to view, the warning device in that direction shall be so placed as to afford ample warning to other users of the highway, but in no case less than one hundred (100) feet nor more than five hundred (500) feet from the disabled vehicle.
(d) Whenever any vehicle of a type referred to in this section is disabled, or stopped for more than ten (10) minutes, upon any roadway of a divided highway during the time lighted lamps are required, the appropriate warning devices prescribed in subsections (b) and (e) shall be placed as follows: One (1) at a distance of approximately two hundred (200) feet from the vehicle in the center of the lane occupied by the stopped vehicle and in the direction of traffic approaching in that lane; one (1) at a distance of approximately one hundred (100) feet from the vehicle, in the center of the lane occupied by the vehicle and in the direction of traffic approaching in that lane; one (1) at the traffic side of the vehicle and approximately ten (10) feet from the vehicle in the direction of the nearest approaching traffic.
(e) Whenever any motor vehicle used in the transportation of explosives or any cargo tank truck used for the transportation of any flammable liquid or compressed gas is disabled, or stopped for more than ten (10) minutes, at any time and place mentioned in subsection (b), (c) or (d), the driver of such vehicle shall immediately display red electric lanterns or portable red emergency reflectors in the same number and manner specified therein. Flares, fusees or signals produced by flame shall not be used as warning devices for vehicles of the type mentioned in this subsection nor for vehicles using compressed gas as a fuel.
(f) The warning devices described in subsections (b) to (e) need not be displayed where there is sufficient light to reveal persons and vehicles within a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet.
(g) Whenever any vehicle described in this section is disabled, or stopped for more than ten (10) minutes, upon a roadway outside of an urban district or upon the roadway of a divided highway at any time when lighted lamps are not required by K.S.A. 8-1703, the driver of the vehicle shall display two (2) red flags as follows:
(1) If traffic on the roadway moves in two (2) directions, one (1) flag shall be placed approximately one hundred (100) feet to the rear and one (1) flag approximately one hundred (100) feet in advance of the vehicle in the center of the lane occupied by such vehicle.
(2) Upon a one-way roadway, one (1) flag shall be placed approximately one hundred (100) feet and one (1) flag approximately two hundred (200) feet to the rear of the vehicle in the center of the lane occupied by such vehicle.
(h) When any vehicle described in this section is stopped entirely off the roadway and on an adjacent shoulder at any time and place hereinbefore mentioned, the warning devices shall be placed, as nearly as practicable, on the shoulder near the edge of the roadway.
(i) The flares, fusees, red electric lanterns, portable red emergency reflectors and flags to be displayed as required in this section shall conform with the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1744 applicable thereto.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1745; July 1.
8-1746. Vehicles transporting hazardous materials; regulations by secretary, compliance; markings of and equipment on vehicles; misdemeanor.
(a) The secretary of transportation may adopt rules and regulations for the safe transportation of hazardous materials.
(b) Any person operating a vehicle transporting any hazardous material as a cargo or part of a cargo upon a highway shall at all times comply with rules and regulations of the secretary adopted under this section.
(c) Every such vehicle shall be marked or placarded at such places as prescribed by such rules and regulations.
(d) Every such vehicle shall be equipped with fire extinguishers of a type, size and number approved by the secretary, filled and ready for immediate use, and placed at convenient points on the vehicle.
(e) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1746; L. 1975, ch. 426, § 48; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 19; L. 1985, ch. 227, § 2; July 1.
8-1747. Air-conditioning equipment.
(a) The term 'air-conditioning equipment' as used or referred to in this section shall mean mechanical vapor compression refrigeration equipment which is used to cool the driver's or passenger compartment of any motor vehicle.
(b) Air-conditioning equipment shall be manufactured, installed and maintained with due regard for the safety of the occupants of the vehicle and the public, and shall not contain any refrigerant which is toxic to persons or which is flammable.
(c) The secretary of transportation may adopt and enforce safety requirements, rules or regulations and specifications consistent with the requirements of this section applicable to such equipment, which shall correlate with and, so far as possible, conform to the current recommended practice or standard applicable to such equipment approved by the society of automotive engineers.
(d) No person shall have for sale, offer for sale, sell or equip any motor vehicle with any such equipment unless it complies with the requirements of this section.
(e) No person shall operate on any highway any motor vehicle equipped with any air-conditioning equipment unless said equipment complies with the requirements of this section.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1747; L. 1975, ch. 426, § 49; Aug. 15.
8-1749. Safety belts and shoulder harnesses.
(a) Every passenger car manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1965, shall be equipped with at least two (2) lap-type safety belt assemblies for use in the front seating positions.
(b) Every passenger car manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1968, shall be equipped with a lap-type safety belt assembly for each permanent passenger seating position. This requirement shall not apply to police vehicles.
(c) Every passenger car manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1968, shall be equipped with at least two (2) shoulder harness-type safety belt assemblies for use in the front seating positions.
(d) The secretary of transportation shall except specified types of motor vehicles or seating positions within any motor vehicle from the requirements imposed by subsections (a) to (c) when compliance would be impractical.
(e) No person shall distribute, have for sale, offer for sale or sell any safety belt or shoulder harness for use in motor vehicles unless it meets current minimum standards and specifications approved by the secretary of transportation.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1749; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 44; Aug. 15.
8-1749a. One-way glass and sun screening devices; requirements; penalties.
(a) No motor vehicle required to be registered in this state and that is operated on the highways of this state shall be equipped with one-way glass or any sun screening device, as defined in K.S.A. 8-1749b, and amendments thereto, and used in conjunction with windshields, side wings, side windows or rear windows that do not meet the following requirements:
(1) A sun screening device when used in conjunction with the windshield shall be nonreflective and shall not be red, yellow or amber in color. A sun screening device shall be used only along the top of the windshield and shall not extend downward beyond the AS1 line which is clearly defined and marked;
(2) a sun screening device when used in conjunction with the side wings or side windows located at the immediate right and left of the driver, the side windows behind the driver and the rear most window shall be nonreflective; and
(3) the total light transmission shall not be less than 35% when a sun screening device is used in conjunction with or other existing sun screening devices.
(b) Subsection (a)(3) shall not apply to a window of a law enforcement motor vehicle.
(c) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to the installation, affixation or application of a clear, colorless and transparent material that may be installed, affixed or applied to the windshields, side wings, side windows or rear windows of a motor vehicle if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 78%;
(2) the window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 205, including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70% and the abrasion resistance of AS-14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard;
(3) the material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun's harmful ultraviolet A or B rays;
(4) the driver or occupant of the vehicle possesses a signed statement from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist that:
(A) Identifies with reasonable specificity the driver or occupant of the vehicle; and
(B) states that, in the physician's or optometrist's professional opinion, the equipping of the vehicle with the material is necessary to safeguard the health of the driver or occupant of the vehicle; and
(5) if the material described in this subsection tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.
(d) Any driver who is issued a citation for failure to possess a signed statement pursuant to subsection (c)(4) shall have 60 days to either produce in court a signed statement or remove the material described in subsection (c). If such driver produces the signed statement or submits proof to the satisfaction of the court that the material described in subsection (c) has been removed, then the court shall dismiss the citation.
(e) The superintendent of the highway patrol may adopt such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
(f) This section shall not prohibit labels, stickers or other informational signs that are required or permitted by state law.
(g) No motor vehicle required to be registered in this state that is operated on the highways of this state shall be equipped with head lamps that are covered with any sun screening device, adhesive film or other glaze or application which, when such lamps are not in operation, is highly reflective or otherwise nontransparent.
(h) Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
History: L. 1977, ch. 27, § 1; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 20; L. 1987, ch. 48, § 3; L. 2010, ch. 151, § 4; L. 2019, ch. 61, § 4; July 1.
8-1749b. Sun screening devices; definitions.
For the purpose of K.S.A. 8-1749a, and amendments thereto:
(a) 'Sun screening devices' means a film material or device that is designed to be used in conjunction with motor vehicle safety glazing materials for reducing the effects of the sun;
(b) 'light transmission' means the ratio of the amount of total light to pass through a product or material including any safety glazing material to the amount of the total light falling on the product or material and the glazing;
(c) 'luminous reflectants' means the ratio of the amount of total light that is reflected outward by the product or material to the amount of the total light falling on the product or material;
(d) 'nonreflective' means a product or material designed to absorb light rather than to reflect it.
History: L. 1987, ch. 48, § 1; July 1.
8-1749c. Unlawful installation of sun screening device; penalty.
Any person who installs a sun screening device on a motor vehicle which is not in compliance with the provisions of K.S.A. 8-1749a, and amendments thereto, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
History: L. 1987, ch. 48, § 2; July 1.
8-1759. Spot inspections by highway patrol; penalties.
(a) Every driver of a motor vehicle shall stop and submit such vehicle and its equipment to an inspection of the mechanical condition thereof and such test, with reference thereto, as may be appropriate at any location where signs are displayed requiring such stop and where members of the Kansas highway patrol are conducting such inspections and tests of motor vehicles. Such an inspection and test shall be referred to as a 'spot inspection.' Spot inspections shall be conducted in a manner that the operator of a motor vehicle, whether private or commercial, shall not be unnecessarily inconvenienced by extended detours, unnecessary delays or any other unreasonable cause.
(b) Violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.
History: L. 1974, ch. 42, § 10; L. 1975, ch. 40, § 6; L. 1984, ch. 35, § 2; L. 1991, ch. 42, § 1; July 1.
8-1759a. Inspection by highway patrol upon reasonable cause; notice of defects; penalties.
(a) Uniformed members of the highway patrol, at any time upon reasonable cause to believe that a vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as required by law, or that its equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair, may require the driver of such vehicle to stop and submit such vehicle to an inspection and such test with reference thereto as may be appropriate.
(b) In the event a vehicle is found to be in unsafe condition or any required part or equipment is not present or in proper repair and adjustment, the member of the highway patrol shall give a written notice of such defect to the driver.
(c) In the event any such vehicle is, in the reasonable judgment of the member of the highway patrol, in such condition that further operation would be hazardous, such member of the highway patrol may require, in addition, that the vehicle not be operated under its own power or that it be driven to the nearest garage or other place of safety.
(d) Violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.
History: L. 1976, ch. 52, § 1; L. 1984, ch. 35, § 4; L. 1991, ch. 42, § 2; July 1.
8-1761. Improper compression release engine braking system.
(a) It shall be unlawful for the driver of any motor vehicle to use or cause to be used or operated any compression release engine braking system without such motor vehicle being equipped with a muffler in accordance with K.S.A. 8-1739, and amendments thereto.
(b) As used in this section, "compression release engine braking system" means a hydraulically operated device that converts a power producing diesel engine into a power absorbing retarding mechanism.
(c) This section shall be part of and supplemental to the uniform act regulating traffic on highways.
History: L. 2004, ch. 114, § 1; Apr. 29.
8-1762. Lighting devices on transporation network company vehicles.
(a) The governing body of a city may adopt an ordinance that allows a driver for a transportation network company, who is logged on to the transportation network company's digital network, to equip the vehicle with a lighting device capable of displaying light visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle. Such lighting device may display: (1) Steady light; and (2) light of any color, except red.
(b) The words and phrases used in this section have the meanings respectively ascribed thereto by K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 8-2702, and amendments thereto, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context.
(c) This section shall be a part of and supplemental to the uniform act regulating traffic on highways.
History: L. 2019, ch. 61, § 1; July 1.