(a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:
(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movements;
(2) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of center of the highway, except that any person so doing shall yield the right-of- way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;
(3) Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or
(4) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.
(b) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(c) Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices, designating certain lanes to the left of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under subsection (a)(2) hereof. However, this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road or driveway.
(K.S.A. 8-1514)
Ref.: Sec. 46.
The driver of a motor vehicle traveling through defiles or canyons or on highways with steep grades shall hold such motor vehicle under control and as near the right-hand edge of the roadway as reasonably possible and, except when driving entirely to the right of the center of the roadway, shall give audible warning with the horn of such motor vehicle upon approaching any curve where the view is obstructed within a distance of two hundred (200) feet along the highway. (K.S.A. 8-1579).
Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and upon roadways having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main traveled portion of the roadway as nearly as possible.
(K.S.A. 8-1515)
The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles and bicycles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated:
(a) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
(b) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
(c)
(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a distance of not less than three feet and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle.
(2) The driver of a vehicle may pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction in a no-passing zone with the duty to execute the pass only when it is safe to do so.
(K.S.A. Supp. 8-1516)
Ref.: For limitation see Sec. 42.
(a) The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary waste collection vehicle obviously and actually engaged in waste collection and displaying vehicular hazard warning signal lamps as required by Section 174(f), shall do either of the following:
(1) If the driver of the motor vehicle is traveling on a highway that consist of at least two lanes that carry traffic in the same direction of travel as that of the driver’s motor vehicle, the driver shall proceed with due caution and, if possible and with due regard to the road, weather and traffic conditions, shall change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to that of the stationary waste collection vehicle; or
(2) If the driver is not traveling on a highway of a type described in paragraph (1), or if the driver is traveling on a highway of that type but it is not possible to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle and maintain a safe speed for the road, weather and traffic conditions.
(b) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of a waste collection vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
(c) Prior to July 1, 2019, a law enforcement officer shall issue a warning citation to anyone violating the provisions of subsection (a). Violations after July 1, 2019 shall be subject to penalties as established pursuant to Section 201. (K.S.A. 8-15,112).
(a) The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another vehicle when approaching within 100 feet of a stationary authorized utility or telecommunications vehicle.
(b) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any authorized utility or telecommunications vehicle or pedestrian actually engaged in work on the highway whenever such vehicle displays flashing lights meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1731, and amendments thereto.
(c) The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized utility or telecommunications vehicle that is obviously and actually engaged in work upon a highway, when such authorized utility or telecommunications vehicle is displaying flashing lights meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1731, and amendments thereto, shall do either of the following:
(1) If the driver of the motor vehicle is traveling on a highway that consists of at least two lanes that carry traffic in the same direction of travel as that of the driver’s motor vehicle, the driver shall proceed with due caution and, if possible and with due regard to the road and weather and traffic conditions, shall change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to that of the stationary authorized public utility or telecommunications vehicle; or
(2) if the driver is not traveling on a highway of a type described in paragraph (1), or if the driver is traveling on a highway of that type described in paragraph (1) but it is not possible to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle and maintain a safe speed for the road and weather and traffic conditions.
(d) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized utility or telecommunications vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway. (2021 SB 67).
(a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
(1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; or
(2) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle.
(3) A transit bus authorized under and being operated in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75- 5091, and amendments thereto.
(b) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway, except as authorized under K.S.A. 75-5091, and amendments thereto.
(K.S.A. 8-1517)
Except as otherwise provided in this article no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and, in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.
(K.S.A. 8-1518)
Ref.: Sec. 40.
(a) No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the roadway under the following conditions:
(1) When approaching or upon the crest of a grade or a curve in the highway where the driver’s view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction;
(2) When approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing, except that this section shall not apply to any intersection on a state or county maintained highway located outside city limits unless such intersection is marked by an official department of transportation or county road department traffic control device or pavement marking or both indicating that passing is prohibited and such marking is placed at least 100 feet before the intersection; or
(3) When the view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct or tunnel.
(b) The foregoing limitations shall not apply upon a one- way roadway nor under the conditions described in subsection (a)(2) of Section 38, nor to the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley, private road or driveway.
(K.S.A. 8-1519)
(a) Whenever signs or markings are in place to define a no-passing zone and clearly visible to an ordinarily observant person no driver shall at any time drive on the left side of the roadway within such no-passing zone or on the left side of any pavement striping designed to mark such no-passing zone throughout its length.
(b) This section shall not apply under the conditions described in subsection (a)(2) of Section 38, nor to the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley, private road or driveway.
(K.S.A. 8-1520)
(a) When official traffic control devices indicate that vehicular traffic shall proceed in one direction upon any highway, roadway, part of a roadway or specific lanes a vehicle shall be driven only in the direction designated at all or such times as shall be indicated by such device.
(b) A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island shall be driven only to the right of such island.
(K.S.A. 8-1521)
Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply:
(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.
(b) Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes and provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction when such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for making a left turn or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is proceeding and such allocation is designated by official traffic-control devices.
(c) Official traffic-control devices may be erected directing specified traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device.
(d) Official traffic-control devices may be installed prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of roadway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the direction of every such device.
(K.S.A. 8-1522)
Ref.: Sec. 38.
(a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
(b) The driver of any truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district and which is following another truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle shall leave sufficient space, whenever conditions permit, so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger, except that this shall not prevent a truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and passing any vehicle or combination of vehicles.
(c) Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply to funeral processions.
(K.S.A. 8-1523)
Sec. 48. Driving on Divided Highways; Left and U Turns; Controlled-Access Highways. No person shall:
(a) Drive a vehicle over, upon or across any intervening space, physical barrier or a clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic between roadways on divided highways;
(b) Make a left turn or a semicircular or “U” turn on the interstate system;
(c) Make a left turn or a semicircular or “U” turn over, across or within any intervening space, physical barrier or a clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic between roadways on a divided highway, except this subsection (c) does not prohibit making a left turn or a semicircular or “U” turn through an opening provided and surfaced for the purpose of public use for such turning movements;
(d) Make a left turn or a semicircular or “U” turn on a divided highway wherever such turn is specifically prohibited by a sign or signs placed by the authority having jurisdiction over that highway;
(e) Drive any vehicle on a divided highway except on the proper roadway provided for that purpose and in the proper direction and to the right of the intervening space, physical barrier or a clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic between roadways unless directed or permitted to use another roadway by official traffic-control devices or police officers;
(f) Drive any vehicle onto or from any controlled-access highway except at such entrances and exists as are established by the authority having jurisdiction over such highway;
(g) Use controlled-access highway right of way for parking vehicles or mobile equipment, or stacking of materials or equipment, for the purpose of servicing adjacent property; or
(h) Stop, stand or park vehicles on the right of way of controlled-access highway except for:
(1) Stopping of disabled vehicles;
(2) Stopping to give aid in an emergency;
(3) Stopping in compliance with directions of a police officer or other emergency or safety official;
(4) Stopping due to illness or incapacity of driver; or
(5) Parking in designated parking or rest areas.
(K.S.A. 8-1524)
Ref.: Secs. 50, 51.