Kansas Adds Penalties for Distracted Driving in Work Zones
Kansas has enacted a new law penalizing drivers who use handheld mobile devices in active construction work zones, Safety+Health Magazine reports. Gov. Laura Kelly signed S.B. 366 in April, and the law took effect July 1. The bipartisan bill passed the state Senate 31-9 and the House 116-7. It applies in “active construction zones,” defined as areas where workers are present and warning signs are posted, as well as in school zones with reduced speed limits. Drivers caught violating the law will receive only a warning citation through the first year. Starting July 1, 2027, violators face a $60 traffic citation. The law also allows green lights on construction and maintenance vehicles and blue lights on stationary trailers in work zones from sunset to sunrise, supplementing the amber and white lights already permitted.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Crews working Kansas road and highway jobs have a one-year warning period before the $60 fine kicks in on July 1, 2027, so site safety leads should start posting the new work-zone signage now to establish “active construction zone” status under the law.
- Traffic control and flagging subs should factor the new green and blue light options into equipment specs for construction vehicles and stationary trailers, since visibility upgrades from sunset to sunrise could reduce struck-by incidents on active sites.
- Safety managers should add S.B. 366 to worker orientation and toolbox talks for Kansas projects, since enforcement depends on proper signage marking the zone as active before warnings or fines can be issued to distracted drivers.
