TURNING AND STOPPING AND REQUIRED SIGNALS
346.31
346.31
Required position and method of turning at intersections. 346.31(1)(1)
Turns indicated by markers. Where state or local authorities have placed markers, buttons or signs within or adjacent to an intersection directing traffic turning at such intersection to follow a particular course, the operator of a vehicle turning at such intersection shall comply with such directions. In the absence of such markers, buttons or signs, the operator of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do as provided in
subs. (2) to
(4).
346.31(2)
(2) Right turns. Both the approach for a right turn and the right turn shall be made as closely as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway. If, because of the size of the vehicle or the nature of the intersecting roadway, the turn cannot be made from the traffic lane next to the right-hand edge of the roadway, the turn shall be made with due regard for all other traffic.
346.31(3)
(3) Left turns and U-turns. Except as otherwise provided in
sub. (4), left turns at intersections shall be made as follows:
346.31(3)(a)
(a) The approach for a left turn or U-turn shall be made in the lane farthest to the left which is lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of the vehicle about to turn left. Unless otherwise marked or posted, this means the lane immediately to the right of the center line or center dividing strip of a 2-way highway and the lane next to the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway of a one-way highway.
346.31(3)(b)
(b) The intersection shall be entered in the lane of approach and, whenever practicable, the left turn or U-turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection immediately to the left of the center of the intersection. For the purposes of this paragraph, a divided highway intersected by any other highway is considered to be one intersection.
346.31(3)(c)
(c) A left turn shall be completed so as to enter the intersecting highway in that lane farthest to the left which is lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of the vehicle completing the left turn. Unless otherwise marked or posted, this means the lane immediately to the right of the center line or center dividing strip of a 2-way highway and the lane next to the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway of a one-way highway.
346.31(4)
(4) Left turns and U-turns on 3-lane highways. On a 2-way highway having an uneven number of lanes the approach for a left turn or U-turn shall be made in the center lane, unless otherwise posted or marked. A left turn into a 2-way highway having an uneven number of lanes shall be made so as to enter the highway in the lane immediately to the right of the center lane.
346.31 History
History: 2009 a. 97.
346.32
346.32
Required position for turning into private road or driveway. The operator of a vehicle on a highway who intends to turn into a private road or driveway shall make the approach for the turn in the same manner as specified in
s. 346.31 for vehicles making an approach for a right or left turn at an intersection. If, because of the size of the vehicle or the nature of the intersecting private road or driveway, the turn cannot be made from the specified lane of approach, the turn shall be made with due regard for all other traffic.
346.33(1)(1) The operator of a vehicle may not make a U-turn upon a highway at any of the following places:
346.33(1)(a)
(a) At any intersection at which traffic is being controlled by a traffic officer unless instructed by the officer to make a U-turn.
346.33(1)(b)
(b) In mid-block on any street in a business district, except where the highway is a divided highway and where the U-turn is made at an opening or crossover established by the authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway.
346.33(1)(c)
(c) In mid-block on any through highway in a residence district, except where the highway is a divided highway and where the U-turn is made at an opening or crossover established by the authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway.
346.33(1)(d)
(d) At any place where signs prohibiting a U-turn have been erected by the authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway.
346.33(1)(e)
(e) Upon a curve or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade on any undivided highway where the vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle within 500 feet approaching from any direction.
346.33(1)(f)
(f) At any place where a U-turn cannot be made safely or without interfering with other traffic.
346.33(1m)
(1m) The operator of a vehicle shall exercise due care when making a U-turn upon a highway and shall only make a U-turn when the movement can be made safely and without interfering with other traffic.
346.33(2)
(2) The operator of a vehicle may not back the vehicle at an intersection controlled by an official traffic control device for the purpose of making a U-turn.
346.33(3)
(3) In this section, "mid-block" means any part of a street or highway other than an intersection.
346.34
346.34
Turning movements and required signals on turning and stopping. 346.34(1)(a)1.
1. Turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in
s. 346.31.
346.34(1)(a)2.
2. Turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway unless the vehicle is in proper position on the roadway as required in
s. 346.32.
346.34(1)(a)3.
3. Turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.
346.34(1)(b)
(b) In the event any other traffic may be affected by the movement, no person may turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in
s. 346.35. A person making a U-turn shall use the same signal used to indicate a left turn. When given by the operator of a vehicle other than a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device, the signal shall be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning. The operator of a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device shall give the signal continuously during not less than the last 50 feet traveled before turning. A signal by the hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device.
346.34(2)
(2) Stopping. No person may stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in
s. 346.35 to the operator of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal. This subsection does not apply to the operator of a bicycle approaching an official stop sign or traffic control signal.
346.34 Annotation
When it is impossible to signal for the last 100 feet before turning, the 100 feet requirement does not apply. Betchkal v. Willis,
127 Wis. 2d 177,
378 N.W.2d 684 (1985).
346.34 Annotation
Sub. (1) (b) states that a driver must use a turn signal in "the event that any other traffic may be affected." The defendant did not violate this statute when he made a left turn without using his signal when there was no oncoming or following traffic or pedestrians present when he turned. State v. Anagnos,
2011 WI App 118,
337 Wis. 2d 57,
805 N.W.2d 722,
10-1812.
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, except signals by the operator of a bicycle, who may use either hand and arm, 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 or U-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.
346.35 History
History: 2009 a. 97;
2011 a. 73.
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 or electric personal assistive mobility device violating
ss. 346.31 to
346.35 may be required to forfeit not more than $20.
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, make a U-turn, or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits the turning maneuver, 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 the signal is exhibited.
346.37(1)(a)2.
2. Pedestrians, and persons who are riding bicycles or electric personal assistive mobility devices 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, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device 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, bicyclists, and riders of electric personal assistive mobility devices lawfully within a crosswalk, to operators of vehicles making a lawful U-turn, and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
346.37(1)(c)4.
4. Notwithstanding
subd. 1., a motorcycle, moped, motor bicycle, or bicycle facing a red signal at an intersection may, after stopping as required under
subd. 1. for not less than 45 seconds, proceed cautiously through the intersection before the signal turns green if no other vehicles are present at the intersection to actuate the signal and the operator of the motorcycle, moped, motor bicycle, or bicycle reasonably believes the signal is vehicle actuated. The operator of a motorcycle, moped, motor bicycle, or bicycle proceeding through a red signal under this subdivision shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicular traffic, pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device proceeding through a green signal at the intersection or lawfully within a crosswalk or using the intersection. This subdivision does not affect any authorization for a bicyclist under
subd. 2.
346.37(1)(d)1.1. Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal may enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of electric personal assistive mobility devices lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. Vehicular traffic facing a left turn arrow may make a U-turn unless a sign prohibits U-turns. 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, bicyclist, or rider of electric personal assistive mobility device 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 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 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.
346.38(2)
(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, but any pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device 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
Pedestrians have the right-of-way on a green light only where there are no pedestrian control signals. City of Hartford v. Godfrey,
92 Wis. 2d 815,
286 N.W.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
Sub. (2) imposes a greater duty of care on a driver proceeding through an intersection with a flashing yellow light than on a driver proceeding where an intersection is not so controlled. Sabinasz v. Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Corp.
71 Wis. 2d 218,
238 N.W.2d 99 (1975).
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 may place or maintain, and no public authority may permit upon any highway, any traffic control device bearing any advertising, except that a federal or fluorescent yellow flag, not less than 20 inches nor more than 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;
2009 a. 88.
346.41 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also s.
Trans 200.04, Wis. adm. code.
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
66.0429 (2) or intentionally interfere with the effective operation of such sign or signal.
346.43
346.43
Penalty for violating sections 346.37 to 346.42.
