These signs warn drivers of school crossing and crosswalk locations on the street ahead. Upon seeing these signs, drivers should use caution approaching the crosswalk and prepare to slow or stop to yield to pedestrians.

These signs, along with the arrows, are used to indicate the exact location of a crosswalk to drivers. These signs are to remind drivers of the locations of mid-block crosswalks and school crosswalks. Drivers should be prepared to slow or stop in order to yield the right of way to pedestrians at these locations. Drivers also must yield the right of way to pedestrians at any crosswalk located at intersections controlled by stop signs and traffic signals.

Kansas traffic regulations require that:

• Drivers shall yield the right-of-way, by slowing down or stopping, to pedestrians entering or crossing streets within a crosswalk
• Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the street, other drivers approaching from the rear are prohibited from passing the stopped vehicle
• No drivers or pedestrians shall fail or refuse to comply with directions of uniformed school crossing guards

Several related ordinances are specific to the actions of pedestrians. For instance:

• Pedestrians are prohibited from suddenly leaving a curb and entering the path of an oncoming vehicle
• Pedestrians are prohibited from crossing intersections diagonally unless within a crosswalk
• Between adjacent intersections with traffic-control signals pedestrians shall only cross in marked crosswalks

Tips for pedestrians:

• Always cross at marked crosswalks or intersections
• Wait for gaps in traffic before attempting to cross streets
• Wait for vehicles to stop before entering the street
• Watch for turning vehicles and make sure the drivers see you before crossing
• Be wary- look left, right, and left again before crossing a street
• Don’t rely on pedestrian signals- look for vehicles before crossing the street
• Prevent Pedestrian Crashes Guide (PDF)

The Code of the City of Prairie Village specifically designates certain routes within the City as truck routes in order to keep commercial vehicles on streets in neighborhoods that can better accommodate this type of traffic. Typically, these are four-lane thoroughfares (although some two lane roads are also included) leading to and from the business districts. Article 7 "Local Traffic Regulations" of Chapter XI "Public Offenses and Traffic" defines the type of vehicles affected by this ordinance and the designated routes. Below is a summary of the ordinance with some examples of the different types of vehicles referenced. A full version is available for download here (PDF).

Truck Traffic Definitions

(Images are provided as examples, and are not all inclusive)

“Bus” shall mean a motor vehicle designed or used to carry 10 or more passengers, other than vehicles commonly referred to as passenger vans, full size vans or minivans.

“Commercial vehicle” shall mean any motor vehicle other than bus or a passenger vehicle (as each is defined in this article) or a recreational vehicle (as defined in Section 11-1501 of Article 15 of this Chapter).

“Passenger vehicle” means a motor vehicle designed primarily for the transportation of people as opposed to equipment, freight or other vehicles, and sold primarily to individuals for personal use, and includes cars, except as excluded below, vehicles commonly referred to as passenger vans, full size vans or minivans (whether or not seats have been removed to allow the carrying of cargo), and, except as excluded below, vehicles commonly referred to as pickup trucks.

A motor vehicle shall not be excluded from the definition of “passenger vehicle” (a) because such vehicle is carrying items commonly found in residential areas, such as ladders, saw horses, or building materials, or (b) because accessories, such as racks, storage boxes or shells have been added to the vehicle, provided that the original exterior walls of the vehicle remain intact.

The following vehicles are excluded from the term “passenger vehicle” (images below are examples and not completely inclusive):

• Pickup trucks that do not have the traditional pickup bed and side walls;
  
     
  
  
• Vans that have extended height or width and are primarily designed to carry cargo instead of passengers;
  
       

• Vehicles with aerial buckets or platforms (e.g. "cherry pickers"), welding equipment, mechanical lifts or arms designed to assist in loading and unloading freight; and
  
      
  
  
• Vehicles commonly referred to as step vans, box vans, flatbed trucks, buses, as defined in this article, semi-tractors and trailers, former military vehicles, cement mixers, construction equipment, and any vehicle with dual rear axles.
  
      
  
      
  
      

“Truck” means any bus or commercial vehicle as defined in this article.

Truck Traffic Regulation & Map

No truck as defined in this article (except those owned and/or operated by the City, emergency vehicles, or those operated by public utilities and engaged in repair, maintenance or construction of utilities, and buses picking up and dropping off passengers in residential areas) shall be allowed to enter upon any of the streets of the city except the following named streets:

(a) 75th Street;
(b) 95th Street;
(c) Nall Avenue;
(d) State Line, from 75th Street to 79th Street;
(e) Mission Road from Tomahawk to 95th Street;

provided, that at the time of any alleged violation of these restrictions, there shall be posted upon the streets of the city, signs indicating streets which allow truck traffic. Trucks delivering or receiving goods or merchandise to or from any house or premises within the city shall be permitted to enter thereon while delivering the goods or merchandise, provided that the trucks travel as close to their destination point as is reasonably possible on the closest designated truck route, then from that truck route using the most direct route to the point of pick up or delivery and shall return to the nearest designated truck route after the delivery as is reasonably possible.

As electric bikes and scooters continue to rise in popularity across our city, more juveniles are choosing these modes of transportation to get from one place to another. While we enjoy seeing kids have fun with their friends throughout the city, the police department continues to get inundated with complaints and concerns regarding the overall safety of the riders and those they share the sidewalks and roads with.

We are fortunate not to have experienced an increase in the number of accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters in the last year, and we want to keep it that way! Recently, the Prairie Village City Council passed laws related to electric-assisted bicycles and scooters.

New City Laws

• Operators must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and give an audible signal before passing or overtaking them.
• Operators must not ride in a reckless, careless, or negligent manner.
• Operators must not operate the device while distracted (i.e., texting, phone).
• Operators must ride with due regard to conditions and be aware of fixed objects, vehicles, pedestrians, animals, and the like.
• Operators must abide by the manufacturer's recommendations for the # of riders.
• Class 3 e-bikes (maximum speed of 28 mph) are required to be driven on the roadway and by an operator who is 16 years of age or older.
• Any rider under the age of 18 must wear a helmet (already included in previous law).

Riders, pedestrians, and drivers alike must understand the rules and responsibilities that come with sharing space. While the police department is unable to legally enforce traffic laws on private property (this includes the Corinth Square and Village Shops areas), all riders are highly encouraged to abide by the ordinances in all areas, whether public or private.

Parents: Be Careful What You Buy

As a parent, you need to know what you’re purchasing for your child. There are three e-bike classes defined by U.S. regulations:

Pedal Assist means the rider must be pedaling for the motor to help.

The e-bike images below show just how difficult it can be to tell the difference between Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes just by looking at them.  So, we encourage you to do your research before buying.

NOTICE: Mopeds, off-road electric bicycles, or anything else that travels greater than 30 mph or is larger than 49 cc’s is illegal to drive on the sidewalk, and these devices often require a driver’s license and registration.

For E-Scooters, it’s not quite as complex, but it's still important that parents purchase an e-scooter that is appropriate and safe for their child. Though both e-scooters below look similar, the scooter on the right is sold as an “off-road” scooter and can reach a speed of 36 mph.

Stay safe, ride smart, and ride legally! Electric bikes and scooters are here to stay—and that’s okay. But their success depends on responsible and respectful riding and a shared commitment to safety. Let’s work together to make our city’s streets safer for everyone!

The Prairie Village Police Department Traffic Unit is responsible for educating the driving public on the proper use and installation of child safety restraints. The officers of the Traffic Unit are generally available by appointment only on Wednesdays to assist you in the installation of your child safety restraint. To make an appointment, please email carseat@pvkansas.com.

• Child seat restraint installations and inspections are available for Prairie Village and Mission Hills residents, as well as employees of businesses in either Prairie Village or Mission Hills.
• Please ensure the child seat is in good working order and not past expiration date.  Expired or damaged seats will not be installed by the Department.
• To help in the installation of your child safety seat, please have the seat installation
  manual and your vehicle owners manual with you at your scheduled appointment.
• For more information about child safety seats or listings of recalled child seats, visit the Safe Kids sites at https://ucsg.safekids.org or http://www.kansassafekids.org/child_passenger.htm or https://www.safekids.org/product-recalls
• The Kansas Highway Patrol, Troop A, 1220 South Enterprise, Olathe, Kansas 66061 can
  also assist you with the installation and inspection of your child safety seat. Their contact number is (913) 782-8100.

What should you, as a caregiver, expect from a Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician?  The car seat installation experience is an interactive one. As the caregiver, you should leave confident that your child’s seat is installed correctly AND that you are comfortable reinstalling and using it correctly. To ensure that you have the best experience you should prepare for an education.

• If expecting, schedule an appointment one to two months prior to Mom’s due date. Many CPS Technicians and their agencies require appointments several weeks in advance and some moms deliver early.
• If your child is already born, know your child's weight and height.
• If your child is already born, bring your child with you. If possible, also bring another adult to help watch the child while you are learning.
• Using the Child Car Seat Instructions, install the seat into your vehicle prior to your appointment.
• Look up “Child Safety Seats” in your Vehicle Owner’s Manual. You will learn how a child’s car seat should be installed in YOUR car. The Car Seat Manual may not reference the requirements specific to your vehicle.
• Bring the Car Seat Instructions AND the Vehicle Owner’s Manual with you to your appointment!
• Be prepared to learn, not just watch the CPS Technician install the car seat. They're trained to teach you, not install it for you. This one-on-one education typically takes 20-30 minutes, depending on the car seat and the vehicle. The CPS Technician should take all the time necessary to ensure that you feel competent and confident in re-securing the car seat into the vehicle and re-buckling your child into the car seat on your own.

During the check up, a competent CPS Technician will:

• Fill out a checklist form (including car seat type, location in vehicle, misuse observations, if any, etc.).
• Review car seat selection appropriate for your child’s age, size, and review factors affecting proper use.
• Review the Car Seat Instructions and the Vehicle Owner’s Manual with the caregiver and ensure that both are being followed correctly.
• Ensure that an appropriate seating position in the vehicle is being used, especially when using LATCH.
• Check the car seat for recalls, visible damage and an expiration date.
• Have you install the car seat(s) correctly using either the seat belt or LATCH system. You are encouraged to ask to learn how to install the seat with either options or in different seating positions.
• Discuss the next steps for each child, such as when to move to the next type of car seat.
• Discuss the benefits of everyone riding properly restrained, including all adults.
• Discuss safety in and around the vehicle.
• Discuss your state laws and best practice recommendations for occupant safety.

After the check up, ensure you can say yes to ALL of these questions:

• Did you perform the installation?
• Do you feel confident about installing and using the car seat correctly?
• Were your questions answered? If not, were you given direction as to who you should contact or will the CPS Technician follow up with you?