AB162: Bill Text

LRB-0309/1

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2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Assembly BILL 162

March 13, 2003 - Introduced by Representatives Colon and Seratti, by request of Wisconsin Radio Emergency Associated Communications Team. Referred to Committee on Highway Safety.

AB162,1,3 An Act to create 347.26 (11) (am) of the statutes; relating to: the use of a flashing red or amber lamp or strobe light on vehicles providing safety radio assistance.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law generally prohibits any vehicle from displaying any flashing light. Specific exceptions allow flashing lights to be displayed on police vehicles, fire engines, ambulances, school buses, mail delivery vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles, and certain other vehicles. In addition, any vehicle may display flashing lights to warn other motorists of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring caution when approaching, overtaking, or passing the traffic hazard.

This bill permits vehicles that are being used by noncommercial, private radio operators who are members of a local Radio Emergency Associated Communication Teams ("REACT") team in this state to be equipped with a flashing red or amber lamp or strobe light. REACT is a public service organization comprised of noncommercial, private radio operators who provide radio communications to their communities and to travelers. The flashing red or amber lamp or strobe light may only be used when providing safety radio assistance at the scene of an accident, fire, stalled or disabled vehicle, or other emergency, or at the scene of a parade or other community event.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB162, s. 1 Section 1. 347.26 (11) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB162,2,10 347.26 (11) (am) In addition to any other lamps authorized under th is subsection, a vehicle that is being used by a noncommercial, private radio operator who is a member of a Radio Emergency Associated Communication Teams, commonly referred to by the abbreviation "REACT," team in this state affiliated with the Wisconsin REACT Council of REACT Teams, Inc., may be equipped with a flashing red or amber lamp or strobe light mounted at the highest practicable point and showing to the front and rear that may be used only when the private radio operator is providing safety radio assistance at the scene of any emergency or accident, a fire, a stalled or disabled vehicle, or a parade or other community event.

AB162,2,11 (End)