In the latest issue of the Village Voice, the city’s newsletter, Prairie Village lets citizens know about a handful of changes to traffic laws. These include a new law that allows police to ticket a motorcycle operator who allows a minor to ride on the motorcycle without a helmet; the new texting-while-driving ban; and changes to the seatbelt laws that now require back seat passengers to buckle up. Read the more detailed article after the jump.

In November, the City Council voted to adopt the 38th Edition of the Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities. With the new ordinance now in effect, there are several changes to traffic laws for drivers to be aware of:

1.) The operator of a motorcycle can be ticketed for allowing a person under the age of 18 to ride on the motorcycle without a helmet. Prior to this change, only the person under 18 could be ticketed and not the operator; now both or either can be ticketed. Also, this statute requires persons under the age of18 riding as a passenger on a motorcycle to wear eye protection. Covering a license plate in whole or in part with any clear or opaque material or any other plastic-like material that affects the plate’s visibility or reflectivity is now unlawful.

2.) Drivers are now prohibited from using a wireless device to write, send, or read a written communication while operating a vehicle. This includes text messages, instant messages and e-mail. The statute exempts law enforcement officers and emergency services personnel using a device while acting within the course and scope of their duties. Law enforcement will give warnings for this violation until January 1, 2011.

3.) The seat belt laws have changed by 1) making the violation a primary violation for adult front seat occupants and 2) adding a requirement for rear seat adult passengers to wear a seat belt. A “primary violation” means a law enforcement officer may stop a vehicle for this violation alone without observing any other violations. The rear seat passenger requirement remains a secondary offense, meaning officers shall not stop drivers for this violation in absence of another violation of the law. The laws for persons under 18 years of age, including children, have not changed- those are all primary violations regardless of where the occupant is located within the vehicle. Fines for these violations are as follows:

• Adults 18 years of age and older- $30, issued to each adult committing the violation
• Youth 14 to 17 years of age- $60, issued to each youth committing the violation
• Children under the age of 14- $60, issued to the driver of the vehicle