LRB-4586/1
TNF:skg:km
1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE
January 4, 1996 - Introduced by Representatives Seratti, Gard, Goetsch, Freese,
Ott and Silbaugh, cosponsored by Senators Drzewiecki and Breske. Referred
to Committee on Highways and Transportation.
AB773,1,2
1An Act to amend 347.15 (2) of the statutes;
relating to: decorative coverings
2on vehicle direction signal lamps.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, with limited exceptions, motor vehicles are required to be
equipped with at least 4 direction signal lamps (2 showing to the front, 2 showing to
the rear) to indicate the driver's intention to turn right or left. Failure to comply with
this requirement may result in a forfeiture of not less than $10 nor more than $200.
This bill provides that no direction signal lamp may have any type of decorative
covering that restricts the amount of light emitted when the direction signal is in use.
A forfeiture of not less than $10 nor more than $200 may be imposed for failure to
comply with this restriction on covering a direction signal lamp.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB773, s. 1
3Section
1. 347.15 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB773,2,74
347.15
(2) Except as provided in sub. (1), there shall be at least 2 direction
5signal lamps showing to the front on motor vehicles and at least 2 showing to the rear
6on motor vehicles, mobile homes, trailers and semitrailers, so as to indicate intention
7to turn right or left. Lamps showing to the front shall be located on the same level
8and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and lamps showing to the rear shall be
9located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. Such lamps
1shall project a flashing white or amber light visible to the front and a flashing red
2or amber light visible to the rear. Direction signal lamps when in use shall be plainly
3visible and understandable from all distances to 300 feet during normal sunlight.
4No direction signal lamp shall have any type of decorative covering that restricts the
5amount of light emitted when the direction signal lamp is in use. When actuated,
6such lamps shall indicate the intended direction of turning by flashing the lights
7showing to the front and rear on the side toward which the turn is made.
