SB155: Bill Text

LRB-2330/1

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2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Senate BILL 155

May 14, 2015 - Introduced by Senators Petrowski, Gudex, Harris Dodd, Lassa, Marklein, Miller, Nass and Olsen, cosponsored by Representatives Vorpagel, Ripp, Ballweg, Kitchens, Mursau, A. Ott, Steffen and Subeck. Referred to Committee on Transportation and Veterans Affairs.

SB155,1,3 An Act to repeal 346.38 (intro.) (except 346.38 (title)); to amend 346.23, 346.38 (1) and 346.38 (2); and to create 340.01 (43c) and 340.01 (43d) of the statutes; relating to: pedestrian traffic control signals.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, when pedestrian traffic control signals are in place, pedestrians may cross a roadway when the signal exhibits the word "Walk." When the signal exhibits the words "Don't Walk," pedestrians may not begin to cross the roadway but may complete a crossing begun while the signal exhibited the word "Walk."

This bill defines a "pedestrian signal authorizing crossing" as a signal displaying "Walk," a walking person symbol, or any other symbol approved under the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Under this bill, the pedestrian behavior currently allowed when facing a "Walk" signal is allowed when facing a pedestrian signal authorizing crossing. This bill also defines a "pedestrian signal limiting crossing" as a signal displaying "Don't Walk," an upraised hand symbol, or any other symbol approved under the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by DOT. Under this bill, the pedestrian behavior currently proscribed or allowed when facing a "Don't Walk" signal is proscribed or allowed when facing a pedestrian signal limiting crossing.

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

SB155,1 Section 1. 340.01 (43c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB155,2,5 340.01 (43c) "Pedestrian signal authorizing crossing" means a traffic control signal for pedestrians that displays the word "Walk," the symbol of a walking person, or any other symbol approved for this purpose under the manual on uniform traffic control devices adopted by the department under s. 84.02 (4) (e).

SB155,2 Section 2. 340.01 (43d) of the statutes is created to read:

SB155,2,10 340.01 (43d) "Pedestrian signal limiting crossing" means a traffic control signal for pedestrians that displays the words "Don't Walk," the symbol of an upraised hand, or any other symbol approved for this purpose under the manual on uniform traffic control devices adopted by the department under s. 84.02 (4) (e).

SB155,3 Section 3. 346.23 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB155,3,6 346.23 Crossing controlled intersection or crosswalk. (1) At an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, or to a person who is riding a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, who has started to cross the highway on a green or "Walk" signal or a pedestrian signal authorizing crossing and in all other cases pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of electric personal assistive mobility devices shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully proceeding directly ahead on a green signal. No operator of a vehicle proceeding ahead on a green signal may begin a turn at a controlled intersection or crosswalk when a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device crossing in the crosswalk on a green or "Walk" signal or a pedestrian signal authorizing crossing would be endangered or interfered with in any way. The rules stated in this subsection are modified at intersections or crosswalks on divided highways or highways provided with safety zones in the manner and to the extent stated in sub. (2).

SB155,3,14 (2) At intersections or crosswalks on divided highways or highways provided with safety zones where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device who has started to cross the roadway either from the near curb or shoulder or from the center dividing strip or a safety zone with the green or "Walk" signal or a pedestrian signal authorizing crossing in the favor of the pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device.

SB155,4 Section 4. 346.38 (intro.) (except 346.38 (title)) of the statutes is repealed.

SB155,5 Section 5. 346.38 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB155,3,22 346.38 (1) Walk. A pedestrian, or a person riding a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crossing by pedestrians, facing a "Walk" signal pedestrian signal authorizing crossing may proceed across the roadway or other vehicular crossing in the direction of the signal and the operators of all vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian, bicyclist, or electric personal assistive mobility device rider.

SB155,6 Section 6. 346.38 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB155,4,6 346.38 (2) Don't walk. No pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device may start to cross the roadway or other vehicular crossing in the direction of a "Don't Walk" signal pedestrian signal limiting crossing, regardless of whether the signal is steady or flashing, but any pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device who has partially completed crossing on the "Walk" signal pedestrian signal authorizing crossing may proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone while a "Don't Walk" signal pedestrian signal limiting crossing is showing.

SB155,4,7 (End)