346.175(5)(a)
(a) A vehicle owner or other person found liable under this section for a violation of
s. 346.04 (3) shall be required to forfeit not less than $300 nor more than $1,000.
346.175(5)(b)
(b) Imposition of liability under this section shall not result in suspension or revocation of a person's operating license under
s. 343.30 or
343.31, nor shall it result in demerit points being recorded on a person's driving record under
s. 343.32 (2) (a).
346.175 History
History: 1993 a. 189.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
346.18
346.18
General rules of right-of-way. 346.18(1)
(1)
General rule at intersections. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this section or in
s. 346.19,
346.20 or
346.46 (1), when 2 vehicles approach or enter an intersection at approximately the same time, the operator of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. The operator of any vehicle driving at an unlawful speed forfeits any right-of-way which he or she would otherwise have under this subsection.
346.18(2)
(2) Turning left at intersection. The operator of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left across the path of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to such vehicle.
346.18(3)
(3) Rule at intersection with through highway. The operator of a vehicle shall stop as required by
s. 346.46 (2) (a),
(b) or
(c) before entering a through highway, and shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles which have entered or are approaching the intersection upon the through highway.
346.18(3m)
(3m) Uncontrolled "T" intersection. At an intersection where traffic is not controlled by an official traffic control device or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle approaching the intersection on a highway which terminates at the intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching the intersection on a highway which continues through the intersection.
346.18(4)
(4) Entering highway from alley or nonhighway access. The operator of a vehicle entering a highway from an alley or from a point of access other than another highway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway which the operator is entering.
346.18(5)
(5) Moving from parked position. The operator of any vehicle that has been parked or standing shall, while moving such vehicle from such position, yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway.
346.18(6)
(6) Right-of-way where yield sign installed. The operator of a vehicle, when approaching any intersection at which has been installed a yield sign, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles which have entered the intersection from an intersecting highway or which are approaching so closely on the intersecting highway as to constitute a hazard of collision and, if necessary, shall reduce speed or stop in order to so yield.
346.18(7)
(7) Entering alley or driveway from highway. 346.18(7)(a)(a) The operator of any vehicle intending to turn to the left into an alley or private driveway across the path of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle.
346.18(7)(b)
(b) The operator of any vehicle crossing a sidewalk or entering an alley or driveway from a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, vehicle or conveyance on the sidewalk or in the alley or driveway.
346.18 Annotation
A driver who makes a left turn which results in an accident is not always guilty of more negligence than the other driver; the comparison is for the jury. Pucci v. Rausch, 51 W (2d) 513, 187 NW (2d) 138.
346.19
346.19
What to do on approach of emergency vehicle. 346.19(1)(1) Upon the approach of any authorized emergency vehicle giving audible signal by siren the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive such vehicle to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right curb or the right-hand edge of the shoulder of the roadway, clear of any intersection and, unless otherwise directed by a traffic officer, shall stop and remain standing in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.
346.19(2)
(2) This section does not relieve the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard under the circumstances for the safety of all persons using the highway.
346.19 History
History: 1993 a. 490.
346.19 Annotation
See note to 346.04, citing 65 Atty. Gen. 27.
346.195
346.195
Owner's liability for vehicle failing to yield the right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle. 346.195(1)(1) The owner of a vehicle involved in a violation of
s. 346.19 (1) for failing to yield the right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle shall be liable for the violation as provided in this section.
346.195(2)
(2) The operator of an authorized emergency vehicle who observes a violation of
s. 346.19 (1) for failing to yield the right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle may prepare a written report indicating that a violation has occurred. If possible, the report shall contain the following information:
346.195(2)(a)
(a) The time and the approximate location at which the violation occurred.
346.195(2)(b)
(b) The license number and color of the vehicle involved in the violation.
346.195(2)(c)
(c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.
346.195(3)
(3) Within 24 hours after observing the violation, the operator of the authorized emergency vehicle may deliver the report to a traffic officer of the county or municipality in which the violation occurred. A report that does not contain all the information in
sub. (2) shall, nevertheless, be delivered and shall be maintained by the county or municipality for statistical purposes.
346.195(4)(a)(a) Within 48 hours after receiving a report containing all the information in
sub. (2) and after investigating the violation, the traffic officer may prepare a uniform traffic citation under
s. 345.11 and may personally serve it upon the owner of the vehicle.
346.195(4)(b)
(b) If with reasonable diligence the owner cannot be served under
par. (a), service may be made by leaving a copy of the citation at the owner's usual place of abode within this state in the presence of a competent member of the family at least 14 years of age, who shall be informed of the contents thereof.
346.195(4)(c)
(c) If with reasonable diligence the owner cannot be served under
par. (a) or
(b) or if the owner lives outside of the jurisdiction of the issuing authority, service may be made by certified mail addressed to the owner's last-known address.
346.195(5)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), it shall be no defense to a violation of this section that the owner was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
346.195(5)(b)
(b) The following are defenses to a violation of this section:
346.195(5)(b)1.
1. That a report that the vehicle was stolen was given to a traffic officer before the violation occurred or within a reasonable time after the violation occurred.
346.195(5)(b)2.
2. That the owner of the vehicle provides a traffic officer with the name and address of the person operating the vehicle at the time of the violation and the person so named admits operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. In such case, the person operating the vehicle and not the owner shall be charged under this section.
346.195(5)(b)3.
3. That the vehicle is owned by a lessor of vehicles and at the time of the violation the vehicle was in the possession of a lessee, and the lessor provides a traffic officer with the information required under
s. 343.46 (3). In such case, the lessee and not the lessor shall be charged under this section.
346.195(5)(b)4.
4. That the vehicle is owned by a dealer, as defined in
s. 340.01 (11) (intro.) but including the persons specified in
s. 340.01 (11) (a) to
(d), and at the time of the violation the vehicle was being operated by any person on a trial run, and the dealer provides a traffic officer with the name, address and operator's license number of the person operating the vehicle. In such case, the person operating the vehicle, and not the dealer, shall be charged under this section.
346.195 History
History: 1995 a. 121.
346.20
346.20
Right-of-way of funeral processions and military convoys. 346.20(1)(1) Except as provided in
sub. (4), the operator of a vehicle not in a funeral procession or military convoy shall yield the right-of-way at an intersection to vehicles in a funeral procession or military convoy when vehicles comprising such procession have their headlights lighted.
346.20(2)
(2) The operator of a vehicle not in a funeral procession shall not drive the vehicle between the vehicles of the funeral procession, except when authorized to do so by a traffic officer or when such vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle giving audible signal by siren.
346.20(3)
(3) Operators of vehicles not a part of a funeral procession or military convoy shall not form a procession or convoy and have their headlights lighted for the purpose of securing the right-of-way granted by this section to funeral processions or military convoys.
346.20(4)(a)(a) Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession or military convoy shall yield the right-of-way in accordance with
s. 346.19 upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle giving audible signal by siren.
346.20(4)(b)
(b) Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession or military convoy shall yield the right-of-way when directed to do so by a traffic officer.
346.20(4)(c)
(c) The operator of the leading vehicle in a funeral procession or military convoy shall comply with stop signs and traffic control signals, but when the leading vehicle has proceeded across an intersection in accordance with such signal or after stopping as required by the stop sign, all vehicles in such procession may proceed without stopping, regardless of the sign or signal.
346.205
346.205
Owner's liability for vehicle failing to yield the right-of-way to a funeral procession. 346.205(1)
(1) The owner of a vehicle involved in a violation of
s. 346.20 (1) for failing to yield the right-of-way to a funeral procession shall be liable for the violation as provided in this section.
346.205(2)
(2) The operator of a lead vehicle or a motorcycle escort in a funeral procession who observes a violation of
s. 346.20 (1) for failing to yield the right-of-way to a funeral procession may prepare a written report indicating that a violation has occurred. If possible, the report shall contain the following information:
346.205(2)(a)
(a) The time and the approximate location at which the violation occurred.
346.205(2)(b)
(b) The license number and color of the vehicle involved in the violation.
346.205(2)(c)
(c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.
346.205(3)
(3) Within 24 hours after observing the violation, the operator of the lead vehicle or motorcycle escort may deliver the report to a traffic officer of the county or municipality in which the violation occurred. A report that does not contain all the information in
sub. (2) shall nevertheless be delivered and shall be maintained by the county or municipality for statistical purposes.
346.205(4)(a)(a) Within 48 hours after receiving a report containing all the information in
sub. (2), the traffic officer may prepare a uniform traffic citation under
s. 345.11 and may personally serve it upon the owner of the vehicle.
346.205(4)(b)
(b) If with reasonable diligence the owner cannot be served under
par. (a), service may be made by leaving a copy of the citation at the owner's usual place of abode within this state in the presence of a competent member of the family at least 14 years of age, who shall be informed of the contents thereof.
346.205(4)(c)
(c) If with reasonable diligence the owner cannot be served under
par. (a) or
(b) or if the owner lives outside of the jurisdiction of the issuing authority, service may be made by certified mail addressed to the owner's last-known address.
346.205(5)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), it shall be no defense to a violation of this section that the owner was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
346.205(5)(b)
(b) The following are defenses to a violation of this section:
346.205(5)(b)1.
1. That a report that the vehicle was stolen was given to a traffic officer before the violation occurred or within a reasonable time after the violation occurred.
346.205(5)(b)2.
2. If the owner of the vehicle provides a traffic officer with the name and address of the person operating the vehicle at the time of the violation and the person so named admits operating the vehicle at the time of the violation, then the person operating the vehicle and not the owner shall be charged under this section.
346.205(5)(b)3.
3. If the vehicle is owned by a lessor of vehicles and at the time of the violation the vehicle was in the possession of a lessee, and the lessor provides a traffic officer with the information required under
s. 343.46 (3), then the lessee and not the lessor shall be charged under this section.
346.205(5)(b)4.
4. If the vehicle is owned by a dealer as defined in
s. 340.01 (11) (intro.) but including the persons specified in
s. 340.01 (11) (a) to
(d), and at the time of the violation the vehicle was being operated by any person on a trial run, and if the dealer provides a traffic officer with the name, address and operator's license number of the person operating the vehicle, then the person operating the vehicle, and not the dealer, shall be charged under this section.
346.205 History
History: 1991 a. 73;
1993 a. 490.
346.21
346.21
Right-of-way of livestock. The operator of a motor vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to livestock being driven over or along any highway but any person in charge of such livestock shall use reasonable care and diligence to open the roadway for vehicular traffic.
346.21 History
History: 1993 a. 490.
346.22
346.22
Penalty for violating sections 346.18 to 346.21. 346.22(1)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), any person violating
s. 346.18 or
346.20 (1) may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor more than $50 for the first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $100 for the 2nd or subsequent conviction within a year.
346.22(1)(b)
(b) If an operator of a vehicle violates
s. 346.18 (6) where persons engaged in work in a highway maintenance or construction area are at risk from traffic, any applicable minimum and maximum forfeiture specified in
par. (a) for the violation shall be doubled.
346.22(3)
(3) Any person violating
s. 346.20 (2),
(3) or
(4) (b) or
(c) or
346.21 may be required to forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $20 for the first offense and not less than $25 nor more than $50 for the 2nd or subsequent conviction within a year.
346.22(3m)
(3m) A vehicle owner or other person found liable under
s. 346.195 may be required to forfeit not less than $30 nor more than $300. Imposition of liability under
s. 346.195 shall not result in suspension or revocation of a person's operating license under
s. 343.30, and shall not result in demerit points being recorded on a person's driving record under
s. 343.32 (2) (a).
346.22(4)
(4) A vehicle owner or other person found liable under
s. 346.205 may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor more than $50 for the first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $100 for the 2nd or subsequent conviction within a year. Imposition of liability under
s. 346.205 shall not result in suspension or revocation of a person's operating license under
s. 343.30, nor shall it result in demerit points being recorded on a person's driving record under
s. 343.32 (2) (a).
RESPECTIVE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF DRIVERS, PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS
346.23
346.23
Crossing controlled intersection or crosswalk. 346.23(1)(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 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 and in all other cases pedestrians and bicyclists 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 or bicyclist crossing in the crosswalk on a green or "Walk" signal 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).
346.23(2)
(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 or bicyclist 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 in the pedestrian's or bicyclist's favor.
346.23 History
History: 1979 c. 36;
1985 a. 69.
346.23 Annotation
Duties of driver and pedestrian under 346.23 and 346.24 discussed and compared. Schoenauer v. Wendinger, 49 W (2d) 415, 182 NW (2d) 441.
346.23 Annotation
Pedestrians have right-of-way on green light only where there are no pedestrian control signals. City of Hartford v. Godfrey, 92 W (2d) 815, 286 NW (2d) 10 (Ct. App. 1979).
346.24
346.24
Crossing at uncontrolled intersection or crosswalk. 346.24(1)(1) At an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is not 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 riding a bicycle in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, who is crossing the highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
