8-1902. Width of vehicles and loads thereon.
8-1902
8-1902. Width of vehicles and loads thereon. (a) The total outside width of any vehicle or the load thereon shall not exceed 8 1/2 feet, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(b) A farm tractor or a fertilizer dispensing machine shall not be permitted to travel on any highway which is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways. Whenever a farm tractor or implement of husbandry, and any load on any such vehicle, exceeds the width limitations prescribed by this section to the extent that the width of such vehicle, including any load thereon, exceeds the width of that portion of a roadway on which such vehicle is driven, which is marked as a single lane of traffic, or, if such roadway has not been marked for lanes of traffic, the width of such vehicle exceeds more than 1/2 the width of such roadway, the driver shall move such vehicle as soon as possible as far to the right side of the highway as is practicable and safe upon the approach of any oncoming or following vehicle and upon approaching the crest of a hill.
(c) The secretary shall adopt rules and regulations consistent with federal requirements designating safety and other devices which may extend out on either side of the vehicle.
(d) (1) A vehicle may be loaded with bales of hay which shall not exceed 12 feet in width and a height as authorized by K.S.A. 8-1904, and amendments thereto, but vehicles so loaded shall not be moved on any highway designated as a part of the national network of highways, except as permitted under subsection (j) of K.S.A. 8-1911, and amendments thereto, or under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) A farm vehicle may be loaded with bales of hay which shall not exceed 12 feet in width and a height as authorized by K.S.A. 8-1904, and amendments thereto, but vehicles so loaded shall not be moved on any highway designated as a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, except as permitted under subsection (j) of K.S.A. 8-1911, and amendments thereto. As used in this paragraph "farm vehicle" means a truck or truck tractor registered under K.S.A. 8-143, and amendments thereto, as a farm truck or truck tractor. Such farm truck or truck tractor may be used in combination with any type of trailer or semitrailer.
(3) Any such vehicles under paragraphs (1) or (2) so loaded shall not be moved during the period beginning 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise. Any vehicle loaded with bales of hay as authorized by the exception in this subsection, with the load extending beyond 8 1/2 feet, shall have attached thereto a sign which states "OVERSIZE LOAD" and the dimensions of the sign shall be a minimum of seven feet long and 18 inches high. Letters shall be a minimum of 10 inches high with a brush stroke of not less than 1 2/5 inches. The sign shall be readily visible from a distance of 500 feet and shall be removed when the vehicle or load does not exceed the legal width. Each vehicle shall be equipped with red flags on all four corners of the oversized load.
(e) The secretary of transportation shall adopt rules and regulations authorizing vehicles to be loaded with two combine headers which exceed the legal width, but vehicles so loaded shall not be moved on any highway designated as a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, except as permitted under subsection (i) of K.S.A. 8-1911, and amendments thereto, and vehicles so loaded shall not be moved during the period beginning 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise.
(f) A motor home or travel trailer, may exceed 102 inches, if such excess width is attributable to an appurtenance, except that no appurtenance may extend further than the rearview mirrors. Such mirrors may only extend the distance necessary to provide the required field of view before the appurtenances were attached.
For the purposes of this subsection the term "appurtenance" shall include:
(1) An awning and its support hardware; and
(2) any appendage that is intended to be an integral part of a motor home or travel trailer coach and that is installed by the manufacturer or dealer.
The term "appurtenance" shall not include any item that is temporarily affixed or attached to the exterior of a motor home or travel trailer by the owner of such motor home or travel trailer for the purposes of transporting such item from one location to another.
History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1902; L. 1980, ch. 30, § 3; L. 1981, ch. 46, § 6; L. 1983, ch. 41, § 1; L. 1987, ch. 49, § 1; L. 1992, ch. 138, § 1; L. 1996, ch. 221, § 1; L. 1998, ch. 193, § 3; L. 2000, ch. 5, § 1; L. 2001, ch. 19, § 4; L. 2006, ch. 3, § 1; July 1.