Kansas

 Kansas

ORV Visible Identification

Kansas does not require visible identification on ORVs.

View our report to learn more about the 37 states that do require visible identification. Learn how Kansas ranks compared to other states on visible identification requirements.

Community Voices Demand Action in Kansas

Kansans are increasingly voicing their concerns about a growing contingent of reckless riders who break the law, damage public and private land, injure themselves and others, and ruin hunting, fishing and hiking experiences for the rest of us. 

  • "The [State Child Death Review] board's most recent recommendations, all neglected by the 2008 Legislature, also called for: Tougher laws governing all-terrain vehicles, which were involved in the deaths of 34 Kansas children from 1994 to 2005. The board would bar kids under 12 from operating ATVs, ban passengers, require helmets, and institute registration and titling...These and other potential safeguards deserve debate. Kids are supposed to end up with bumps and bruises on their way to adulthood. It's up to adults, as close to home and as far as the Legislature, to try to ensure that's the worst of it." -- Wichita Eagle Editorial Board, "Up to adults to keep Kansas kids safe", Wichita Eagle (9/2/08)
  • "We're seeing an increase in four wheeler calls and, basically, what we're wanting to do is educate the public. Are they subject to ticket? Yes, and if they do receive a ticket it is a mandatory 'see judge' and the fine amount would be decided by the court..If someone is pulling wheelies and driving it recklessly to where it's a hazard to the operator or the general public, then they're more than likely going to get a ticket." -- Eudora Police Chief Greg Dahlem, "Police see increase in ATV calls", Eudora News (6/5/08)

Recent ORV-Related Media Coverage



Riding ATVs legally, safely

PDF Print E-mail
Written by Kansas City Star   
Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Vue Thao has a simple, yet sage piece of advice for anybody who operates an All-Terrain Vehicle:

"Slow down and enjoy what you are doing," said the Washington County sheriff's deputy. "There is no point in going fast. ATVs are for recreation and to enjoy the outdoors."

Too often, he said, ATV drivers who are speeding or hotdogging get into trouble by breaking the law. Or, they end up having an accident that leads to a serious injury or death.

Minnesota is trying to educate ATV users on the hazards associated with the machines.

Read more... [Riding ATVs legally, safely]
 

Police Chief Defends Officer's Actions In Fatal Pursuit

PDF Print E-mail
Written by KAKE-TV   
Monday, March 14, 2011

Jared Cerullo

A Harper teenager is being remembered as a "good guy" who made a bad decision early Saturday. That decision ultimately ended tragically when 19 year-old Cole Augustyn died after crashing his A-T-V on the south side of town.

"When you think of Cole, he was a goofy guy with a little smile. He was always a good guy," said Ashley Mitchell, who knew Augustyn for several years.

Read more... [Police Chief Defends Officer's Actions In Fatal Pursuit]
 

Police Chief Defends Officer's Actions In Fatal Pursuit

PDF Print E-mail
Written by KAKE-TV   
Monday, March 14, 2011

Jared Cerullo

A Harper teenager is being remembered as a "good guy" who made a bad decision early Saturday. That decision ultimately ended tragically when 19 year-old Cole Augustyn died after crashing his A-T-V on the south side of town.

"When you think of Cole, he was a goofy guy with a little smile. He was always a good guy," said Ashley Mitchell, who knew Augustyn for several years.

Read more... [Police Chief Defends Officer's Actions In Fatal Pursuit]
 

ATV driver dies after crashing during police pursuit

PDF Print E-mail
Written by Wichita Eagle   
Saturday, March 12, 2011

Hurst Liviana

A 19-year-old Harper man has died after crashing an ATV while trying to elude a Harper police officer.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said Cole A. Augustyn was not wearing a helmet when the Polaris ATV he was riding ran into a ditch and crashed at 12:55 a.m. today just south of Harper.

Read more... [ATV driver dies after crashing during police pursuit]
 

ATV accidents kill more than 800 people a year

PDF Print E-mail
Written by Dodge City Daily Globe   
Saturday, November 15, 2008

Cherise Forno

DODGE CITY — Although injuries and deaths related to all-terrain vehicles are on the rise nationally, stricter safety regulations concerning the manufacturing and use of ATVs are not in place.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that ATV-related accidents kill about 800 people a year, including more than 100 children.

Read more... [ATV accidents kill more than 800 people a year]
 


State by State Momentum

Community Voices

“Once they chased our cow into a deep arroyo where it fell and broke its neck. I don't understand how anyone could think chasing livestock is fun.”  As a result of the growing conflicts with off-roaders, the Gonzales family stopped their cattle ranching. It doesn't matter whether it is a plate or decal, what is important is that the identification is visible. The police could have tracked down the illegal riders if we had been able to photograph the IDs on their vehicles. I think that would have made them think twice before breaking the law.”

- Eleanor Gonzales, private property owner in Santé Fe County, NM