TOPEKA POLICE DEPARTMENT
 Number: LB 99-2 

 
LEGAL BULLETIN
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF 1998 STANDARD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE FOR KANSAS CITIES (STO) 
AMENDS: 
STATUTE REFERENCES: Ordinance #17361 & 17362
ISSUING AUTHORITY: John Knoll, City Attorney DATE ISSUED: Apr. 14, 99
 
    On March 9, 1999, the City Council enacted ordinance 17361 which adopts by reference the 1998 version of Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities (STO). The ordinance was published and took effect on March 17, 1999.

    The 1998 version has a gold cover. All prior STO versions are obsolete and should be discarded.

    The Council also enacted ordinance No. 17362 which deletes and modifies certain STO sections and repeals certain city code sections. The most important changes are repeal of the city code sections prohibiting Inattentive Driving (§ 142-188) and Limitations on Backing (142-186). The new versions of these ordinance are found in the STO book at §§ 104 and 117, respectively. Please note that one of the elements of the new STO version of Inattentive Driving is a collision with another vehicle, a person or a fixed object. Another major change is to the Accessible Parking Ordinance. In the past, the Council had amended STO 87 as set forth in § 142-152. The new law will simply be STO § 87.

    A table summarizing the effects of adoption of Ordinance No. 17362 follows:

 

1998 STO Section Adopted/Deleted or Amended Applicable City Code Section Description Explanation
13 142-122 Traffic-Control Signal Legend Delete STO 13. Retains City Code Provision regarding traffic signals
1998 STO Section Adopted/Deleted or Amended Applicable City Code Section Description Explanation
 

33

 142-187 Maximum Speed Limits Delete STO 33. Retains City Code Provision regarding speed limits
37 142-152 Racing on Highways (Exhibition of Speed) Amends elements of offense
50 142-236 through 142-238 Right, Left and U Turns at Intersections Delete STO 50. Retains City Code Provision regarding turning movements
67 None Pedestrian Use of Crosswalks Delete STO 67 which requires pedestrians to use right half of crosswalks.
87 142-152 Accessible Parking Adopts elements set forth in STO 87 and repeals amendments in 142-152
94 None Parking Adjacent to Schools Adopts STO 94
98 None Commercial and Delivery Vehicles; Loading and Unloading; Blocking Traffic; Removal of Vehicle; Duty of Police Department Adopts STO 98
99 None Loading, Unloading or Special Zones Adopts STO 99
1998 STO Section Adopted/Deleted or Amended Applicable City Code Section Description Explanation
104 142-188 Inattentive Driving Repeals 142-188 and adopts STO version, which requires a collision with a vehicle, person or fixed object as one of the elements
117 142-186 Limitations on Backing Adopts STO 117 and repeals 142-186
120 None Driving Through Procession Adopts STO 120, making it illegal to drive between conspicuously designated vehicles in a procession
188 142-152 Lighting Equipment for Motor-Driven Cycles Adopts STO 188 and repeals version in 142-152
198 142-6 Vehicle License; Illegal Tag Delete STO 198. Retains City Code Provision regarding illegal tags
 

Please contact John Knoll if you have any questions about the 1998 STO.