Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Legal Services

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, Interim City Manager

 

FROM:

Scott J. Miller, Staff Attorney

 

Date:

August 15, 2006

 

RE:

Ordinance 8031 -- 2006 Edition of the Standard Traffic Ordinance

 

Attached please find Ordinance 8031, which adopts by reference the 2006 Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities prepared by the League of Kansas Municipalities.

 

The 2006 version of the Standard Traffic Ordinances includes several provisions that are changed from the prior year’s version.  The purpose of the changes is to ensure compatibility between recently amended Kansas statutes and the provisions of the City’s traffic laws.  Some of the more noteworthy changes involve leaving the scene of accidents and the duty to report accidents, driving with a suspended driver’s license or as a habitual violator, failure to obey school crossing guards, and additional requirements for booster seat use for children.  Below is a complete list of the provisions amended:

 

Sec.

Title

1

Definitions

23

Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injuries

27

Duty to Report Accidents

30.2

Preliminary Breath Test

61.1

Passing When Near a Stationary Authorized Emergency Vehicle

62

Highway Construction and Maintenance

64.1

School Crossing Guard; Disobeying

141

Motorcycle Footrests and Handlebars

144

When Lighted Lamps Required; Visibility Distance and Mounted Heights of Lamps

182

Child Passenger Safety Restraining System

184

Driving While License Cancelled, Suspended or Revoked

195.1

Operation of a Motor Vehicle When a Habitual Violator

198

Vehicle License; Illegal Tag

 

Because it is important for the City of Lawrence to maintain consistency between its traffic code provisions and the dictates of Kansas law, it is my recommendation that this ordinance be adopted.