The failure to pass legislation criminalizing extreme speeding leaves public safety advocates concerned for Kansas City metro highways.
Legislation to Curb Extreme Speeding Hits a Wall
A significant effort to impose harsher penalties for extreme speeding in Kansas has stalled in the state legislature, leaving a key public safety proposal in limbo. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 113, aimed to reclassify driving at speeds of 100 mph or more, or 35 mph over the posted speed limit, as reckless driving—a Class B misdemeanor. Despite receiving a favorable recommendation from the Senate Transportation Committee, the bill failed to advance for a full vote, effectively killing it for the current session.
The Push for Stronger Deterrents
Supporters of the bill, including the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and various law enforcement agencies, argued the change was critical for improving road safety. The core of the proposed law was to remove the legal burden of proving a driver showed “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” Under SB 113, the act of driving at such extreme speeds would itself constitute reckless driving. This would have shifted the offense from a simple civil violation, which results in a fine, to a criminal misdemeanor potentially carrying jail time. Proponents pointed to a rising number of high-speed incidents and fatalities as a clear sign that current penalties are an insufficient deterrent.
Why This Matters for Kansas City
For the Kansas City metropolitan area, which straddles the Kansas-Missouri border, the legislative inaction has direct consequences. Major arteries like I-435, I-70, and I-35 see thousands of commuters cross state lines daily. Differing traffic laws can create confusion and enforcement challenges. While Missouri has its own statutes for excessive speeding, the failure to pass SB 113 means a driver could face significantly different consequences for the same dangerous behavior depending on which side of State Line Road they are on. Safety advocates argue this inconsistency undermines regional efforts to combat a growing problem with aggressive and reckless driving on packed urban highways. The Kansas City Star has noted that the stall leaves a significant gap in the tools available to law enforcement to address this behavior.
Current Law vs. Proposed SB 113
| Aspect | Current Kansas Law | Proposed Under SB 113 |
|---|---|---|
| Offense Type | Civil Violation | Class B Misdemeanor (Criminal) |
| Threshold | Varies, treated as a standard speeding ticket | 100+ mph or 35+ mph over the speed limit |
| Potential Penalty | Fine and points on license | Fines, points, and potential jail time |
| Prosecution Burden | Prove the speed | Prove the speed (no need to prove 'wanton disregard') |
What's Next for Road Safety Legislation
With SB 113 now off the table for this legislative session, the path forward is uncertain. Public safety advocates and sponsoring lawmakers will likely regroup and attempt to reintroduce the measure in the next session. During its journey, the bill saw amendments, including one version that advanced from committee without the 100 mph provision, indicating that the specific thresholds for what constitutes reckless speeding are a point of debate. For now, Kansas roads will continue to be governed by the existing statutes, a reality that those who testified in favor of the bill consider a significant setback for public safety in the region.
Q: What exactly did Kansas Senate Bill 113 propose?
A: SB 113 proposed to amend Kansas law to classify driving a vehicle at 100 mph or more, or 35 mph over the posted speed limit, as reckless driving. This would have made it a Class B misdemeanor, a criminal offense.
Q: Why did the reckless speeding bill stall?
A: The bill stalled in the Kansas Legislature after failing to be brought for a full vote in the Senate before the end of the session. While it passed its initial committee stage, it did not advance further in the legislative process.
Q: What is the current penalty for excessive speeding in Kansas?
A: Currently, excessive speeding is treated as a civil infraction, similar to a standard speeding ticket. The penalty is typically a fine and points assessed against the driver's license, but it is not a criminal offense.
Q: How does this legislative failure affect drivers in the Kansas City metro?
A: It maintains a legal inconsistency across the bi-state metro area. The penalties for extreme speeding can differ significantly between Kansas and Missouri, complicating enforcement on shared highways and, according to safety advocates, failing to create a strong, unified deterrent against dangerous driving.
Q: Who supported the proposed changes in SB 113?
A: The bill was supported by public safety advocates, law enforcement agencies, and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). They cited a rise in high-speed incidents and the need for stronger penalties to deter reckless behavior.