Kansas City, Missouri – The Kansas City City Council decided unanimously to forbid drivers from performing wheelies with motor vehicles inside the city limits. Addressing public safety on highways and public areas utilized by the community, the legislation received a 13-0 approval at Thursday’s council meeting.
Under the new law, it is mandatory for all wheels of a vehicle to maintain constant contact with the ground. This action follows regular accounts of drivers—especially those on ATVs and motorcycles—taking over city streets and causing significant disturbances. Often in the summer, these demonstrations have caused traffic congestion and too much noise, which has prompted city officials to respond.
Covering behavior on public streets, roads, alleys, parking lots, driveways, and other public premises, the code specifically targets acts that clearly show a purposeful disregard for the safety of people or property. It seeks to reduce the dangerous maneuvers that not only harm the drivers engaging them but also put pedestrians, other drivers, and people living nearby at risk.
The law acknowledges some exceptions even if it is rigorous in preserving vehicle control and safety standards. The first announcement does not specifically address specific information on these exclusions; rather, it is expected to cover emergency and unusual circumstances in which the regular driving technique would not be applicable.
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The decision has been met with mixed reactions from the community. Although many people praise the council for improving safety and lowering public nuisances, certain motor sports and extreme driving demonstration aficionados express concerns about over-regulation, believing it will compromise the city’s rich culture around motorcycle and ATV riding.
Kansas City joins a rising list of communities trying to strike a balance between the excitement of motor sports and the need for public safety and peace in shared areas as this new rule takes effect. Emphasizing their dedication to preserving public welfare while ensuring the orderly use of all motor vehicles on Kansas City’s streets, city officials have said that implementation of this new rule will be a top focus.
