346.34 History
History: 1973 c. 182;
1995 a. 138.
346.34 Annotation
Where conditions do not allow the full 100 feet for signaling a turn, such as a parked bus in the right lane, a driver is not negligent giving the signal for a lesser distance. Tuschel v. Haasch, 46 W (2d) 130, 174 NW (2d) 497.
346.34 Annotation
See note to 895.045, citing Thompson v. Howe, 77 W (2d) 441, 253 NW (2d) 59.
346.34 Annotation
Where it is impossible to signal for the last 100 feet before turning, 100 feet requirement does not apply. Betchkal v. Willis, 127 W (2d) 177, 378 NW (2d) 684 (1985).
346.35
346.35
Method of giving signals on turning and stopping. Whenever a stop or turn signal is required by
s. 346.34, such signal may in any event be given by a signal lamp or lamps of a type meeting the specifications set forth in
s. 347.15. Except as provided in
s. 347.15 (3m), such signals also may be given by the hand and arm in lieu of or in addition to signals by signal lamp. When given by hand and arm, such signals shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and shall indicate as follows:
346.35(1)
(1) Left turn—Hand and arm extended horizontally.
346.35(2)
(2) Right turn—Hand and arm extended upward.
346.35(3)
(3) Stop or decrease speed—Hand and arm extended downward.
346.36
346.36
Penalty for violating sections 346.31 to 346.35. 346.36(1)(1) Unless otherwise provided in
sub. (2), any person violating
ss. 346.31 to
346.35 may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor more than $40 for the first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $100 for the 2nd or subsequent conviction within a year.
346.36(2)
(2) Any operator of a bicycle violating
ss. 346.31 to
346.35 may be required to forfeit not more than $20.
346.36 History
History: 1971 c. 278;
1977 c. 208.
TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS AND MARKINGS
346.37
346.37
Traffic-control signal legend. 346.37(1)
(1) Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights successively, or with arrows, the following colors shall be used and shall indicate and apply to operators of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:
346.37(1)(a)1.1. Vehicular traffic facing a green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn, but vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.
346.37(1)(a)2.
2. Pedestrians, and persons who are riding bicycles in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
346.37(1)(b)
(b)
Yellow. When shown with or following the green, traffic facing a yellow signal shall stop before entering the intersection unless so close to it that a stop may not be made in safety.
346.37(1)(c)1.1. Vehicular traffic facing a red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of an intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection or at such other point as may be indicated by a clearly visible sign or marking and shall remain standing until green or other signal permitting movement is shown.
346.37(1)(c)2.
2. No pedestrian or bicyclist facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
346.37(1)(c)3.
3. Vehicular traffic facing a red signal at an intersection may, after stopping as required under
subd. 1., cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn into the nearest lawfully available lane for traffic moving to the right or to turn left from a one-way highway into the nearest lawfully available lane of a one-way highway on which vehicular traffic travels to the left. No turn may be made on a red signal if lanes of moving traffic are crossed or if a sign at the intersection prohibits a turn. In making a turn on a red signal vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
346.37(1)(d)1.1. Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal may enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. When the green arrow signal indicates a right or left turn traffic shall cautiously enter the intersection.
346.37(1)(d)2.
2. No pedestrian or bicyclist facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
346.37(2)
(2) In the event an official traffic signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section are applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.
346.38
346.38
Pedestrian control signals. Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Don't Walk" are in place, such signals indicate as follows:
346.38(1)
(1) Walk. A pedestrian, or a person riding a bicycle in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crossing by pedestrians, facing a "Walk" signal 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 or bicyclist.
346.38(2)
(2) Don't walk. No pedestrian or bicyclist may start to cross the roadway or other vehicular crossing in the direction of a "Don't Walk" signal, but any pedestrian or bicyclist who has partially completed crossing on the "Walk" signal may proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone while a "Don't Walk" signal is showing.
346.38 Annotation
See note to 346.23, citing City of Hartford v. Godfrey, 92 W (2d) 815, 286 NW (2d) 10 (Ct. App. 1979).
346.39
346.39
Flashing signals. Whenever flashing red or yellow signals are used they require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
346.39(1)
(1) Flashing red (stop signal). When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, operators of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked, or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed is subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
346.39(2)
(2) Flashing yellow (caution signal). When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, operators of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution.
346.39 Annotation
Duty of care under (2) discussed. Sabinasz v. Milw. & Suburban Tr. Corp. 71 W (2d) 218, 238 NW (2d) 99.
346.40
346.40
Whistle signals. 346.40(1)(1) Whenever traffic is alternately being directed to stop and to proceed by a traffic officer using a whistle, such officer shall use the following whistle signals which shall signify as follows:
346.40(1)(a)
(a) One blast of the whistle means that all traffic not within the intersection shall stop.
346.40(1)(b)
(b) Two blasts of the whistle means that traffic which had been stopped prior to the one blast shall proceed through the intersection and that the traffic which was stopped by the one blast shall remain stopped.
346.40(2)
(2) The traffic officer shall regulate the interval between the one and the 2 blasts so as to permit traffic that is legally within the intersection to clear the intersection.
346.41
346.41
Display of unauthorized signs and signals prohibited. 346.41(1)(1) No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway or at or in view of any railroad crossing any unauthorized sign, light, reflector, signal, marking or device which:
346.41(1)(a)
(a) Purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles or may be mistaken for an official traffic sign or signal or railroad sign or signal; or
346.41(1)(b)
(b) Attempts to direct the movement of traffic; or
346.41(1)(c)
(c) Hides from view or by its color, location, brilliance or manner of operation interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic sign or signal or railroad sign or signal.
346.41(2)
(2) No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic control device bearing thereon any advertising except that a federal yellow flag, 24 inches square and bearing either the words "Safety Patrol" or "School," attached to a light weight pole 8 feet or less in length may be used by members of school safety patrols standing adjacent to but off the roadway to warn traffic that children are about to cross the roadway.
346.41(3)
(3) No person shall place or maintain, or allow to be displayed any red or amber reflector within the limits of the highway boundaries at or near the entrance to a private road or driveway. The use of blue reflectors is permitted provided there is no disapproval by the highway authority in charge of maintenance of the highway.
346.41 History
History: 1981 c. 42.
346.42
346.42
Interference with signs and signals prohibited. No person may intentionally damage, deface, move, or obstruct an official traffic sign or signal or neighborhood watch sign under
s. 60.23 (17m) or
66.046 (2) or intentionally interfere with the effective operation of such sign or signal.
346.42 History
History: 1985 a. 194;
1987 a. 205.
346.43
346.43
Penalty for violating sections 346.37 to 346.42. 346.43(1)(a)(a) Any pedestrian violating
s. 346.37 or
346.38 may be required to forfeit not less than $2 nor more than $20 for the first offense and not less than $10 nor more than $50 for the 2nd or subsequent conviction within a year.
346.43(1)(b)1.1. Unless otherwise provided in
subd. 2. or
3., any operator of a vehicle violating
ss. 346.37 to
346.39 may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor more than $40 for the first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $100 for the 2nd or subsequent conviction within a year.
346.43(1)(b)3.
3. If an operator of a vehicle violates
s. 346.37 or
346.39 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
subd. 1. for the violation shall be doubled.
346.43(2)
(2) Any person violating
s. 346.42 may be required to forfeit not less than $30 nor more than $300.
346.43(3)
(3) Any person violating
s. 346.41 may be required to forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $200 for the first offense and may be required to forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $500 for the 2nd or subsequent conviction within a year.
REQUIRED STOPS
346.44
346.44
All vehicles to stop at signal indicating approach of train. 346.44(1)(1) The operator of a vehicle shall not drive on or across a railroad crossing under any of the following circumstances:
346.44(1)(a)
(a) While any traffic officer or railroad employe signals to stop;
346.44(1)(b)
(b) While any warning device signals to stop, except that if the operator of the vehicle after stopping and investigating finds that no railroad train is approaching the operator may proceed.
346.44(2)
(2) The operator of a vehicle shall not drive through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.
346.44 History
History: 1991 a. 316.
346.45
346.45
Certain vehicles to stop at railroad crossings. 346.45(1)(1) Except as provided in
sub. (3), the operator of any of the following vehicles before crossing at grade any track of a railroad, shall stop such vehicle within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad:
346.45(1)(b)
(b) Every motor vehicle transporting any quantity of chlorine.
346.45(1)(c)
(c) Every motor vehicle which, in accordance with
sub. (4), is required to be marked or placarded with one of the following markings:
346.45(1)(d)
(d) Every cargo tank motor vehicle, whether loaded or empty, used for the transportation of any liquid having a flashpoint below 200° Fahrenheit, as determined by the test method approved for that product by the American society for testing and materials.
346.45(1)(e)
(e) Every cargo tank motor vehicle transporting a commodity which at the time of loading has a temperature above its flashpoint as determined by the same standard method of testing as prescribed in
par. (d).
346.45(2)
(2) The operator of every vehicle required to stop before crossing any track shall listen and look in both directions along the track for any approaching train, and shall not proceed until such precautions have been taken and until the operator has ascertained that the course is clear. Wherever an auxiliary lane is provided for stopping at a railroad, operators of vehicles required to stop shall use such lane for stopping.
