Chapter 346

346.175(3)(a) (a) Within 72 hours after observing the violation, the traffic officer shall investigate the violation and may prepare a uniform traffic citation under s. 345.11 for the violation and, within 96 hours after observing the violation, any traffic officer employed by the authority issuing the citation may personally serve it upon the owner of the vehicle.

346.175(3)(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. Service under this paragraph may be made by any traffic officer employed by the authority issuing the citation and shall be performed within 96 hours after the violation was observed.

346.175(3)(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. Service under this paragraph shall be performed by posting the certified mail within 96 hours after the violation was observed.

346.175(4) (4) Defenses to the imposition of liability under this section include:

346.175(4)(a) (a) 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.

346.175(4)(b) (b) If the owner of the vehicle provides a traffic officer employed by the authority issuing the citation with the name and address of the person operating the vehicle or having the vehicle under his or her control at the time of the violation and sufficient information for the officer to determine that probable cause does not exist to believe that the owner of the vehicle was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation, then the owner of the vehicle shall not be liable under this section or under s. 346.04 (2t) or (3).

346.175(4)(c) (c) 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 employed by the authority issuing the citation with the information required under s. 343.46 (3), then the lessee and not the lessor shall be liable under this section or under s. 346.04 (2t) or (3).

346.175(4)(d) (d) 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 or was under the control of any person on a trial run, and if the dealer provides a traffic officer employed by the authority issuing the citation with the name, address and operator’s license number of the person operating the vehicle, then that person, and not the dealer, shall be liable under this section or under s. 346.04 (2t) or (3).

346.175(5) (5) Notwithstanding the penalty otherwise specified under s. 346.17 (2t) or (3) for a violation of s. 346.04 (2t) or (3):

346.175(5)(a) (a) A vehicle owner or other person found liable under this section for a violation of s. 346.04 (2t) or (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; 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 109.

346.177 346.177 Railroad crossing improvement surcharge for vehicles illegally passing at railroad crossings.

346.177(1) (1) Whenever a court imposes a forfeiture under s. 346.17 (2m) for a violation of s. 346.10 (1), the court shall also impose a railroad crossing improvement surcharge under ch. 814 equal to 50 percent of the amount of the forfeiture.

346.177(2) (2) If a forfeiture is suspended in whole or in part, the railroad crossing improvement surcharge shall be reduced in proportion to the suspension.

346.177(3) (3) If any deposit is made for an offense to which this section applies, the person making the deposit shall also deposit a sufficient amount to include the railroad crossing improvement surcharge under this section. If the deposit is forfeited, the amount of the railroad crossing improvement surcharge shall be transmitted to the secretary of administration under sub. (4). If the deposit is returned, the amount of the railroad crossing improvement surcharge shall also be returned.

346.177(4) (4) The clerk of the circuit court shall collect and transmit to the county treasurer the railroad crossing improvement surcharge as required under s. 59.40 (2) (m). The county treasurer shall then pay the secretary of administration as provided in s. 59.25 (3) (f) 2. The secretary of administration shall deposit all amounts received under this subsection in the transportation fund to be appropriated under s. 20.395 (2) (gj).

346.177 History History: 1997 a. 237; 2003 a. 33, 139, 326.

subch. III of ch. 346 SUBCHAPTER III

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, 346.215, 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 or making a U-turn at intersection. The operator of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left or make a U-turn shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

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(8) (8) Roundabout.

346.18(8)(a) (a) The operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle or combination of vehicles with a total length of not less than 40 feet or a total width of not less than 10 feet when approaching or driving through a roundabout at approximately the same time or so closely as to constitute a hazard of collision and, if necessary, shall reduce speed or stop in order to so yield.

346.18(8)(b) (b) If 2 vehicles or combinations of vehicles each having a total length of not less than 40 feet or a total width of not less than 10 feet approach or drive through a roundabout at approximately the same time or so closely as to constitute a hazard of collision, the operator of the vehicle or combination of vehicles on the right shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle or combination of vehicles on the left and, if necessary, shall reduce speed or stop in order to so yield.

346.18 History History: 1979 c. 210; 1987 a. 25, 28; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 490; 2009 a. 46, 97; 2015 a. 139.

346.18 Annotation A driver who makes a left turn that 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 Wis. 2d 513, 187 N.W.2d 138 (1971).

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 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.