PEDESTRIAN STATUTES

(Kansas Statutes Annotated)

8-1465. "Sidewalk" defined.
" Sidewalk" means that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for use by pedestrians.

8-1508. Traffic-control signal legend.
(Pedestrian responsibilities at traffic-signaled intersections)

Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red and yellow shall be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend, and said lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:


(a) Green indication. (1) Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left, unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn; but vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited. (2) Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may enter the intersection cautiously only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. (3) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal, as provided in K.S.A. 8-1509, and amendments thereto, pedestrians facing any green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

(b) Steady yellow indication. (1) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection. (2) Pedestrians facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in K.S.A. 8-1509, and amendments thereto, are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the roadway.

(c) Steady red indication. (1) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection. Any turn provided for in said paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be governed by the applicable provisions of K.S.A. 8-1545, and amendments thereto. (2) Unless a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping as required by paragraph (1) of this subsection. After stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. (3) Unless a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, vehicular traffic upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic facing a steady red signal at the intersection of such roadway with another roadway restricted to one-way traffic which is proceeding to the left of such vehicular traffic, may cautiously enter the intersection to make a left turn after stopping as required by paragraph (1) of this subsection. After stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. (4) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in K.S.A. 8-1509, and amendments thereto, pedestrians facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal alone shall not enter the roadway.

(d) In the event an official traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1508; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 46; L. 1994, ch. 215, § 1; L. 1995, ch. 188, § 1; July 1.

8-1509. Pedestrian control signals.
(Pedestrian control signals defined)

Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "walk" or "don't walk" or symbols of "walking person" or "upraised palm" are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:

(a) Flashing or steady walk or walking person. Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.

(b) Flashing or steady don't walk or upraised palm. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed crossing on the "walk" or "walking person" signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the "don't walk" or upraised palm signal is showing.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1509; L. 1995, ch. 188, § 2; July 1.

8-1532. Pedestrians; obedience to official traffic-control devices required.
(Pedestrian obedience to official traffic control)

(a) A pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any official traffic-control device specifically applicable to such pedestrian, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

(b) Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic and pedestrian-control signals as provided in K.S.A. 8-1508 and 8-1509.

(c) At all other places, pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and shall be subject to the restrictions stated in this chapter [*].

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1532; July 1.

8-1533. Same; right-of-way at crosswalks; interference with vehicular traffic; duties of drivers.
(Crosswalk responsibilities defined)

(a) When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

(b) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.

(c) Subsection (a) shall not apply under the conditions stated in subsection (b) of K.S.A. 8-1534.

(d) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1533; July 1.

8-1534. Same; crossing roadway at location other than crosswalk.
(Pedestrian responsibilities at intersections other than crosswalks defined)
(a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

(b) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

(c) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.

(d) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1534; July 1.

8-1535. Same; drivers to exercise due care.
(Drivers shall exercise due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians)
Notwithstanding other provisions of this article or the provisions of any local ordinance, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any obviously confused or incapacitated person.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1535; July 1.

8-1536. Same; movement in crosswalk.
(Pedestrian movements in crosswalks directed)
Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1536; July 1.

8-1537. Same; use of roadways.
(Pedestrian movements in roadways directed)
(a) Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.

(b) Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder, as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway.

(c) Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway, and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this article, any pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1537; July 1.

8-1538. Soliciting rides, business or contributions; exception.
(Solicitation on roadways prohibited)


(a) No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride.

(b) No person shall stand on a highway for the purpose of soliciting employment, business or contributions from the occupant of any vehicle.

(c) No person shall stand on or in proximity to a street or highway for the purpose of soliciting the watching or guarding of any vehicle while parked or about to be parked on a street or highway.

(d) The soliciting of contributions under subsection (b) shall not be prohibited, if such person or organization has first obtained a permit authorizing such soliciting from the local authorities in their respective jurisdictions.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1538; L. 1995, ch. 65, § 1; Apr. 6.

8-1540. Pedestrians' right-of-way on sidewalks.
The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on a sidewalk.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1540; July 1.

8-1541. Pedestrians must yield right-of-way to authorized emergency vehicle.
(Conflicts between pedestrians and emergency vehicles directed)


(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of subsection (d) of K.S.A. 8-1738 and visual signals meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1720, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, every pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to the authorized emergency vehicle.

(b) This section shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway nor from the duty to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1541; July 1.

8-1542. Blind pedestrian's right-of-way.
The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1542; July 1.

8-1543. Pedestrians under influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor.
(Substance-impaired pedestrians prohibited from roadway; penalty)

A pedestrian who is under the influence of alcohol or any drug to a degree which renders such pedestrian a hazard shall not walk or be upon a highway except on a sidewalk. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1543; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 5; Jan. 1, 1985.

8-1544. Obedience of pedestrian to bridge and railroad signals required.
(Pedestrian obedience to other modal operational signals)

 

(a) No pedestrian shall enter or remain upon any bridge or approach thereto beyond the bridge signal, gate or barrier after a bridge operation signal indication has been given.

(b) No pedestrian shall pass through, around, over or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing or bridge while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1544; July 1.

8-2006. Restrictions on pedestrian crossings.
(Restrictions by local authorities and transportation secretary at marked pedestrian crossings defined)

Local authorities, by ordinance or resolution, and the secretary of transportation, by erecting appropriate official traffic-control devices, are hereby empowered within their respective jurisdictions to prohibit pedestrians from crossing any roadway in a business district or any designated highways except in a crosswalk.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-2006; L. 1975, ch. 39, § 34; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 55; Aug. 15.

8-2007. Same; unmarked crosswalks.
(Restrictions by local authorities and transportation secretary at unmarked pedestrian crossings defined)

The secretary of transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions, after an engineering and traffic investigation, may designate unmarked crosswalk locations where pedestrian crossing is prohibited or where pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to vehicles. Such restrictions shall be effective only when official traffic-control devices indicating the restrictions are in place.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-2007; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 56; Aug. 15.

12-687. Same; improving traffic ways and connections.
The governing body of such city shall have power to improve or reimprove or cause to be improved or reimproved, any main trafficway or trafficway connection designated and established under the provisions of this act. Such improvement or reimprovement may include grading, re-grading, curbing, recurbing, guttering, reguttering, paving, repaving, macadamizing, remacadamizing, constructing, reconstructing, opening, widening, extending, rounding corners, straightening, relocating, building any necessary bridges and approaches thereto, viaducts, overpasses, underpasses, culverts and drainage, trafficway illumination, traffic control devices, pedestrian ways, or other improvements, or any two (2) or more of such improvements or reimprovements and the acquisition of right-of-way by purchase or condemnation when necessary for any of such purposes. The governing body may also employ highway and traffic engineering assistance when necessary to the proper development and planning of such improvement or reimprovement.

History: L. 1959, ch. 71, § 3; June 30.