AB704: Bill Text

LRB-4096/1

ARG:med:rs

2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE

2011 Assembly BILL 704

March 15, 2012 - Introduced by Representative Bernard Schaber, cosponsored by Senator Ellis. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB704,1,2 An Act to create 346.57 (4) (L) and 346.57 (6) (c) of the statutes; relating to: the maximum speed limit on certain county trunk highways.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, no person may drive a vehicle at a speed greater than what is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and each vehicle operator must drive at an appropriate reduced speed under certain circumstances, including when approaching an intersection or hillcrest, going around a curve, or passing school children. In addition, a vehicle operator may not drive at a speed in excess of that posted on speed limit signs or, under certain circumstances, certain statutory speed limits applicable even in the absence of speed limit signs. When no other speed limit is established for a highway, the speed limit is 55 miles per hour.

This bill establishes a maximum speed limit of 35 miles per hour on any part of a county trunk highway to which all of the following apply:

1. The county trunk highway passes by two school buildings that are located within one mile of each other and in different municipalities, and the part of the county trunk highway lies between these two school buildings.

2. On or along this part of the county trunk highway, there is no sidewalk, bicycle lane, or bicycle or pedestrian trail.

3. The county board has determined that 35 miles per hour on this part of the county trunk highway is a reasonable and safe speed limit and has enacted an ordinance to establish this speed limit.

However, for this speed limit to be effective, the county must erect official signs giving adequate notice to motorists of this speed limit.

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

AB704, s. 1 Section 1. 346.57 (4) (L) of the statutes is created to read:

AB704,2,3 346.57 (4) (L) Thirty-five miles per hour on any part of a county trunk highway to which all of the following apply:

AB704,2,7 1. The county trunk highway passes by two school buildings, on either side of the highway, that are located within one mile of each other and in different municipalities, and the part of the county trunk highway lies between these two school buildings.

AB704,2,9 2. On or along the part of the county trunk highway identified in subd. 1., there is no sidewalk, bicycle lane, or bicycle or pedestrian trail.

AB704,2,12 3. The county board has determined that 35 miles per hour on the part of the county trunk highway identified in subd. 1. is a reasonable and safe speed limit and has enacted an ordinance to establish this speed limit.

AB704, s. 2 Section 2. 346.57 (6) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB704,2,17 346.57 (6) (c) The speed limit specified in sub. (4) (L) is not effective unless official signs giving notice of the speed limit have been erected by the county at such points as the county deems necessary to give adequate warning to users of the county trunk highway.

AB704,2,18 (End)