You’re not the only one using the Kansas roadways – that’s pretty obvious.
Plus, you’re not even only sharing the road with other vehicles. There are also pedestrians, school buses, motorcycles, and many more.
This is why there are several Kansas rules of the road that you should know about.
And when we say rules of the road, we mean how to share the road with others.
Today, we’re going to look into this in detail.
We’ll show you the road rules when it comes to sharing the road with:
- School buses
- Pedestrians
- Bicycles
- Motorcycles
- Emergency vehicles
- Trucks
- Public transports
- Slow moving vehicles
Ready?
Let’s begin.
Kansas Road Rules
Different driving rules apply depending on the vehicle or person you share the road with.
Now, let’s look at what you need to do for each type of vehicle/person.
Sharing the Road with School Buses
When you’re driving behind a school bus, you need to take extra care and be alert for crossing children.
In general, if a school bus has red flashing lights, you’re required to stop behind them. Do this for the following scenarios:
- When a school bus is right in front of you and there are two solid lines, a center turning lane, or broken lines in between lanes of traffic
- When a school bus is on the opposite side of the road and there are two solid lines, a center turning lane, or broken lines in between lanes of traffic
- When a school bus stops in front of an intersection and you are at the back or on the opposite side of the intersection
If there’s a barricade in between the lanes of a roadway and you’re traveling in the opposite direction as the school bus, you don’t need to stop.
Sharing the Road with Pedestrians
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable on the road. I mean, they’re not protected by any vehicle.
As a driver, you want to avoid any accidents with pedestrians since these can be fatal. To do that, follow these road rules:
- Always yield to pedestrians, even when they’re not on a crosswalk.
- Make a full stop when someone who is visually impaired is crossing the street. Look for signs such as them holding a cane or being guided by a dog.
- Before you make a U-turn, right turn, or left turn, always check the sidewalk and crosswalk for pedestrians who are crossing. If so, yield to them.
- Even when the traffic light is green, always check for pedestrians crossing. Let them pass first before you go.
- When approaching a school zone, park, or playground, always check for children near the road. Slow down so you are not caught by surprise when someone suddenly crosses.
Sharing the Road with Bicycles
Bicyclists are already considered motorists. So when they’re on the roadway, the same rules and regulations are required of them.
However, like pedestrians, bicyclists are also more vulnerable than those who are inside vehicles.
Here’s how you can share the road with them:
- Yield to bicyclists when approaching intersections. Treat them as pedestrians.
- Never drive or park in a bicycle lane. The lane will be marked with a bicycle painted over the pavement.
- If you’re passing a bicyclist, slow down and give them some space. Be prepared for when they change directions or increase/decrease speeds.
- After passing a bicyclist, do not slow down. Continue with the same pace and leave space between you and the bicyclist.
- Check for bicyclists on the right or left side of the lane before making a turn.
Sharing the Road with Motorcycles
Motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters have the same rights and abide by the same rules as any other vehicle.
However, some motorcyclists can be unpredictable and may need a lot of space to maneuver the roadway properly.
To avoid collisions with motorcyclists, follow these road rules:
- Don’t try to force them to the side. Motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters are allowed to occupy a full lane. Two motorcycles can also share one lane.
- Do not pass a motorcycle in the same lane. If you need to overtake, give a signal and use the next lane for passing.
- When a motorcycle has its signals turned on, do not assume right away that it will turn. Some signals do not automatically turn off, so make sure to watch their moves carefully.
- If there are hazards on the road, slow down and give space between you and the motorcycle. The motorcyclist might have more difficulty avoiding a hazard.
- Do not turn on bright headlights when there is a motorcycle, moped, or scooter in front. Instead, use dim headlights.
Sharing the Road with Emergency Vehicles
During emergencies, emergency vehicles are given an allowance to disobey road rules. They may speed up, overtake, park on any part of the road, or go even when there is a red light.
So when there is an emergency and you spot an emergency vehicle, follow these rules:
- When you hear a siren or see flashing lights, try to move to the right side of the roadway if possible. If there is no space, speed up until you can let the emergency vehicle pass.
- Turn off your music player or radio when there is an approaching emergency vehicle. This reduces the interference experienced by the emergency vehicle’s line of communication.
- Obey the law enforcement officer on detours or turns on emergency roads.
- After an emergency vehicle passes, look behind for vehicles that are following it before you go back to your lane.
Sharing the Road with Trucks
Large vehicles can have blind spots. Sometimes, they don’t see approaching vehicles.
It’s your responsibility to stay out of the way and drive carefully around them.
Here are some road rules when driving alongside commercial vehicles:
- Avoid driving beside a large vehicle for long periods. The sides of trucks are often blindspots to the truck driver.
- If you are passing a large vehicle, make sure that you can see the whole front of the truck before going back to your lane.
- Trucks take longer to stop, so if you’re in front of a truck, make sure to give ample space or speed up to maintain a good distance.
- Do not drive closely behind a truck as that is also a blindspot. Be a few meters away from the truck in front.
- Avoid driving on the right side of a truck as this is a blind spot as well.
- If a truck is in front of you, pay close attention to when they’re slowing down or braking. This way, you can make the necessary changes (slowing down or changing lanes) without going too near the truck.
Sharing the Road with Public Transports
Public transport vehicles are treated differently from school buses. Unlike with school buses, you’re not required to stop if public transport stops in front of you.
However, there are still rules you need to follow when sharing the road with them:
- When a public transport vehicle is stopped, be on the lookout for pedestrians crossing the road or for loading/unloading in the vicinity.
- Never turn in front of a light rail vehicle. Always make them pass before you turn.
- Keep a safe distance between you and a public transport vehicle. If you need to pass them, signal way before you pass the vehicle.
- Pass to the right of the public transport vehicle. You are only allowed to pass on their left side if a traffic enforcer tells you to or if there is no space on the right side.
Sharing the Road with Slow Moving Vehicles
Slow-moving vehicles are often found in rural areas. Most of these are farm machinery or animal-drawn vehicles.
If you see these types of vehicles, here’s what to do:
- Farm machinery does not have turn signals, so it’s best to be alert for the hand signals or the movement of the vehicle in front of you.
- Give a safe distance between you and the farm machinery or animal-drawn vehicles.
- Do not honk at animal-drawn vehicles. This might rattle the animal and cause panic. If you need to pass, turn on a signal.
Conclusion
And that was the Kansas rules of the road.
When sharing the road, the best way to stay safe and avoid collisions is to follow the road rules for each type of vehicle.
If you do, then you will be a responsible and safe driver.