Kansas

From drinking to speeding, here are 6 Kansas laws you need to know

Sound barriers have been installed along U.S. 69 Highway in Overland Park near The Louis Overland Park apartment complex which sits off the highway at 13900 Newton St., in Overland Park. 061824.
Sound barriers have been installed along U.S. 69 Highway in Overland Park near The Louis Overland Park apartment complex which sits off the highway at 13900 Newton St., in Overland Park. 061824. Tljungblad@kcstar.com

In Kansas, motorists must adhere to stringent road safety regulations, whether dealing with tailgating, boat operation, child car seat requirements or trailer registration.

“Brake checking” tailgaters can be deemed reckless driving, and driving a boat requires sobriety akin to land driving regulations. Child safety laws mandate booster seats until children meet specific age, weight, or height criteria. Trailers exceeding 2,000 pounds must be tagged and registered, and boat trailers have similar requirements.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

File photo of K-10 near Lenexa.
File photo of K-10 near Lenexa. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

No. 1: Can I ‘brake check’ a driver following me too closely on roads? What Kansas law says

You might be tempted to slam the brakes when you feel that the vehicle behind you is tailgating. But who’s at fault if it causes a crash? | Published July 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

Norm Hacker drives his combination car/boat across Marion County Lake in 2017.
Norm Hacker drives his combination car/boat across Marion County Lake in 2017. Mike Berry The Wichita Eagle

No. 2: Who can drink beer on a boat? Here’s what Kansas law says about boating and drinking

If you’re driving the boat, you may want to keep those drinks in your cooler. | Published June 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

Before you hit the road in Kansas, make sure you have your children in the proper seat that’s safe for their age, height and weight.
Before you hit the road in Kansas, make sure you have your children in the proper seat that’s safe for their age, height and weight. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

No. 3: How long does my child need to sit in a booster seat in Kansas? What the law says

We explain the state’s guidelines for car seats, booster seats and front seats. | Published July 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

Stock image of traffic.
Stock image of traffic. Aayush Srivastava Pexels

No. 4: What happens if I leave the scene of a car crash? Here’s what Kansas, Missouri law says

You could face big fines or jail time if you leave the scene of a car crash anywhere in Kansas City. | Published April 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

Can you get pulled over for speeding to pass someone in Kansas? Take a look at state law.
Can you get pulled over for speeding to pass someone in Kansas? Take a look at state law. CHRIS OCHSNER/The Kansas City Star

No. 5: Is it legal to speed in order to pass someone on Kansas roads? See what the law says

Can you go over the posted speed limit to pass other cars in Kansas? | Published July 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

A couple examines a camper travel trailer they were in the process of purchasing in September 2015 in Gardner. Such trailers that are hooked onto cars do need to be registered in the state of Kansas.
A couple examines a camper travel trailer they were in the process of purchasing in September 2015 in Gardner. Such trailers that are hooked onto cars do need to be registered in the state of Kansas. T. Rob Brown Special to The Star

No. 6: Do you have to tag your trailer in Kansas? What about boats? See what state law says

Refresh yourself on the requirements for license plates and registrations on Kansas roads. | Published July 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.

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