Chapter 346

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 This section, regarding the requirements on the approach of an emergency vehicle, is the proper statute to invoke when the proof requirements for fleeing under s. 346.04 are not met. 76 Atty. Gen. 214.

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) Subject to s. 346.01 (2), 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, 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) (4) 

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) (5) 

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; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 80.

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) (4) 

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.

346.20 History History: 1977 c. 43; 1991 a. 73, 316; 1993 a. 490.

346.205 346.205 Owner’s liability for vehicle failing to yield the right-of-way to a funeral procession.

346.205(1) (1) Subject to s. 346.01 (2), 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, 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) (4) 

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) (5) 

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; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 80.

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.

346.215 346.215 Emergency vehicles operated as escorts and rights-of-way related to escorted vehicles.

346.215(1) (1) In this section, “emergency vehicle” means an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in s. 340.01 (3) (a), (c), (dm), (e), (f), (g), (h), or (i).

346.215(2) (2) 

346.215(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), and notwithstanding s. 346.03 (1) and (4), the operator of an emergency vehicle escorting any vehicle or procession of vehicles may exercise the privileges specified in s. 346.03 (2) (b) if the operator of the emergency vehicle is giving visual signal as described in s. 346.03 (3). The operator of the emergency vehicle under this subsection is not required to give an audible signal as described in s. 346.03 (3). This subsection applies only if the vehicle, or in the case of a procession of vehicles the entire procession, is escorted by at least 2 emergency vehicles, at least one of which is leading the vehicle or procession of vehicles and at least one of which is at the rear of the vehicle or procession of vehicles, and only if the requirement under sub. (4) is satisfied. Notwithstanding ss. 346.18 (3), 346.37 (1) (c) 1., and 346.46 (1) and (2), any operator of a vehicle being escorted under this subsection may accompany these emergency vehicles as they proceed past any red or stop signal or stop sign in accordance with the privileges specified in this subsection.

346.215(2)(b) (b) The operator of an emergency vehicle escorting a vehicle or procession of vehicles, and the operator of any vehicle being escorted, shall yield the right-of-way in accordance with s. 346.19 upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle giving an audible signal by siren.

346.215(3) (3) Except as provided in sub. (2) (b), the operator of a vehicle other than an escorted vehicle or escorting emergency vehicle shall yield the right-of-way at an intersection to an escorted vehicle or escorting emergency vehicle and shall not, except when authorized to do so by a traffic officer, drive between these escorting and escorted vehicles.

346.215(4) (4) The privileges specified in sub. (2) (a) do not apply to the operator of an emergency vehicle unless, prior to escorting any vehicle as provided under sub. (2) (a), the employer of the operator of the emergency vehicle has provided written guidelines for its employees regarding the escorting of vehicles under this section.

346.215 History History: 2009 a. 46; 2013 a. 313.

346.22 346.22 Penalty for violating sections 346.18 to 346.21.

346.22(1) (1) 

346.22(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), (c), (d), or (e), any person violating s. 346.18, 346.20 (1), or 346.215 (2) (b) or (3) 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)

346.22(1)(b)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., if an operator of a vehicle violates s. 346.18 (6) where persons engaged in work in a highway maintenance or construction area, railroad maintenance or construction area, utility work area, or emergency or roadside response area are at risk from traffic, any applicable minimum and maximum forfeiture specified in par. (a), (c), (d), or (e) for the violation shall be doubled.

346.22(1)(b)2. 2. If an operator of a vehicle violates s. 346.18 (6) where persons engaged in work in a highway maintenance or construction area, railroad maintenance or construction area, utility work area, or emergency or roadside response area are at risk from traffic and the violation results in bodily harm, as defined in s. 939.22 (4), to another, the operator may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months, or both. In addition to the penalties specified under this subdivision, a court may also order a person convicted under this subdivision to perform not fewer than 100 nor more than 200 hours of community service work and attend traffic safety school, as provided under s. 345.60.

346.22(1)(c) (c) If a person violates s. 346.18 and the violation results in bodily harm, as defined in s. 939.22 (4), to another, the person shall forfeit $200.

346.22(1)(d) (d) If a person violates s. 346.18 and the violation results in great bodily harm, as defined in s. 939.22 (14), to another, the person shall forfeit $500.

346.22(1)(e) (e) If a person violates s. 346.18 and the violation results in death to another, the person shall forfeit $1,000.

346.22(2) (2) Any person violating s. 346.19 or 346.20 (4) (a) may be required to forfeit not less than $30 nor more $300.

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).

346.22 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1983 a. 27; 1991 a. 73; 1993 a. 198; 1995 a. 121; 1997 a. 277; 2005 a. 466; 2009 a. 46; 2011 a. 173; 2021 a. 115; 2023 a. 159.

subch. IV of ch. 346 SUBCHAPTER IV

RESPECTIVE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF DRIVERS AND OTHER HIGHWAY USERS

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 personal delivery device, or to a person who is riding a bicycle, electric scooter, or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, that has started to cross the highway on a green signal or a pedestrian signal authorizing crossing and in all other cases pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of electric scooters and electric personal assistive mobility devices shall yield, and personal delivery device operators shall ensure that personal delivery devices 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, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device crossing in the crosswalk on a green 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).

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, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device that 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 signal or a pedestrian signal authorizing crossing in the favor of the pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device.

346.23 History History: 1979 c. 36; 1985 a. 69; 2001 a. 90; 2015 a. 104; 2017 a. 13; 2019 a. 11.

346.23 Annotation In order for a motorist to have a duty to yield under s. 346.24, the pedestrian must be “crossing” within the crosswalk as provided under s. 346.24 (1) and not have entered in such a manner as to make it difficult for the motorist to yield as provided under s. 346.24 (2). The requirements under this section, however, are that the pedestrian be “crossing” or have “started to cross” on a “Walk” light. The burden on the motorist is more absolute under this section than under s. 346.24. Schoenauer v. Wendinger, 49 Wis. 2d 415, 182 N.W.2d 441 (1971).

346.23 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).

346.24 346.24 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 personal delivery device, or to a person riding a bicycle, electric scooter, or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, that is crossing the highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

346.24(2) (2) No pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device may suddenly leave, and no personal delivery device operator may allow a personal delivery device to suddenly leave, a curb or other place of safety and walk, run, or ride into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is difficult for the operator of the vehicle to yield.

346.24(3) (3) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at an intersection or crosswalk to permit a pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device to cross the roadway, the operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear may not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

346.24 History History: 1985 a. 69; 2001 a. 90; 2017 a. 13; 2019 a. 11.

346.24 Annotation In order for a motorist to have a duty to yield under this section, the pedestrian must be “crossing” within the crosswalk as provided under sub. (1) and not have entered in such a manner as to make it difficult for the motorist to yield as provided under sub. (2). The requirements under s. 346.23, however, are that the pedestrian be “crossing” or have “started to cross” on a “Walk” light. The burden on the motorist is more absolute under s. 346.23 than under this section. Schoenauer v. Wendinger, 49 Wis. 2d 415, 182 N.W.2d 441 (1971).