Chapter 346

346.36 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1977 c. 208; 2001 a. 90; 2017 a. 105; 2019 a. 11.

subch. VI of ch. 346 SUBCHAPTER VI

TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND PAVEMENT 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, personal delivery device operators, and pedestrians as follows:

346.37(1)(a) (a) Green.

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, electric scooters, 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, and personal delivery device operators may allow personal delivery devices to proceed, across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

346.37(1)(b) (b) Yellow. Except as provided in par. (e) and s. 346.39 (2), 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) (c) Red.

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 pavement marking and shall remain standing until green or other signal permitting movement is shown.

346.37(1)(c)2. 2. No pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device facing such signal shall enter, and no personal delivery device operator may allow a personal delivery device facing such signal to 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. Vehicular traffic in the leftmost right-turn lane of a roadway that provides 2 right-turn lanes may make a right turn on a red signal into a lawfully available lane that is 2nd to the rightmost lane for traffic moving to the right. Except for a vehicle turning right from the leftmost right-turn lane of a roadway that provides 2 right-turn lanes, no turn may be made on a red signal if lanes of moving traffic are crossed. No turn may be made on a red signal if a sign at the intersection prohibits the turn on a red signal. In making a turn on a red signal vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, personal delivery devices, bicyclists, and riders of electric scooters and 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, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or 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) (d) Green arrow.

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, personal delivery devices, bicyclists, and riders of electric scooters and 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 an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device facing such signal may enter, and no personal delivery device operator may allow a personal delivery device facing such signal to enter, the roadway unless he or she can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

346.37(1)(e) (e) Flashing yellow arrow.

346.37(1)(e)1. 1. Vehicular traffic facing a flashing yellow arrow signal may cautiously enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, personal delivery devices, bicyclists, and riders of electric scooters and 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.

346.37(1)(e)2. 2. No pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device facing such signal may enter, and no personal delivery device operator may allow a personal delivery device facing such signal to 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 pavement marking indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or pavement marking the stop shall be made at the signal.

346.37(3) (3) If a traffic control signal suffers a loss of power or otherwise malfunctions so that the traffic control signal does not exhibit any color of light, vehicular traffic, pedestrians, and persons riding bicycles, electric scooters, or electric personal assistive mobility devices shall proceed, and personal delivery device operators shall ensure that personal delivery devices proceed, at the traffic control signal as if the traffic control signal were an official stop sign and shall comply with the requirements applicable under ss. 346.18 (1) and (3) and 346.46 (1), (2), and (4), unless otherwise directed by a traffic officer.

346.37 History History: 1975 c. 23; 1979 c. 152; 1985 a. 69; 1993 a. 490; 2001 a. 90; 2005 a. 466; 2009 a. 97; 2015 a. 42, 74, 124, 136; 2017 a. 13; 2019 a. 11.

346.38 346.38 Pedestrian control signals.

346.38(1) (1) Walk. A pedestrian, or 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 crossing by pedestrians, facing a pedestrian signal authorizing crossing may proceed, and a personal delivery device operator may allow a personal delivery device facing a pedestrian signal authorizing crossing to 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, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or electric scooter or electric personal assistive mobility device rider.

346.38(2) (2) Don’t walk. No pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device may start to cross, and no personal delivery device operator may allow a personal delivery device to start to cross, the roadway or other vehicular crossing in the direction of a pedestrian signal limiting crossing, regardless of whether the signal is steady or flashing, but any pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device that has partially completed crossing on the pedestrian signal authorizing crossing may proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone while a pedestrian signal limiting crossing is showing.

346.38 History History: 1975 c. 229, 421; 1979 c. 36; 1985 a. 69; 2001 a. 90; 2015 a. 104; 2017 a. 13; 2019 a. 11.

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). Subject to s. 346.37 (1) (e), 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 History History: 2015 a. 74.

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 (1976).

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, pavement 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; 2015 a. 124.

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.

346.42 History History: 1985 a. 194; 1987 a. 205; 1999 a. 150 s. 672.

346.43 346.43 Penalty for violating sections 346.37 to 346.42.

346.43(1) (1) 

346.43(1)(a) (a) Any pedestrian or personal delivery device operator 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) (b)

346.43(1)(b)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2. or 3. or sub. (4), 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)2. 2. Any operator of a bicycle, electric scooter, or electric personal assistive mobility device violating s. 346.37, 346.38 or 346.39 may be required to forfeit not more than $20.

346.43(1)(b)3. 3.

346.43(1)(b)3.a. a. Except as provided in subd. 3. b., 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, 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 subd. 1. for the violation shall be doubled.

346.43(1)(b)3.b. b. 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, 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 subd. 3. b., a court may also order a person convicted under this subd. 3. b. 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.

346.43(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.

346.43(4) (4) 

346.43(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in sub. (1) (b) 3. b., if a person violates s. 346.37 (1) (a) 1., (c) 3., or (d) 1. or 346.39 (1) and the violation results in great bodily harm, as defined in s. 939.22 (14), to another, the person shall forfeit $500.

346.43(4)(b) (b) Except as provided in sub. (1) (b) 3. b., if a person violates s. 346.37 (1) (a) 1., (c) 3., or (d) 1. or 346.39 (1) and the violation results in death to another, the person shall forfeit $1,000.

346.43 History History: 1971 c. 278, 336; 1973 c. 182; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 69 s. 16; 1993 a. 198; 1997 a. 277; 2001 a. 90; 2017 a. 13, 105; 2019 a. 11; 2021 a. 115; 2023 a. 159.

subch. VII of ch. 346 SUBCHAPTER VII

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 employee 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 or railroad track equipment is approaching the operator may proceed.

346.44(1)(c) (c) If any crossbuck sign specified under s. 192.29 (5) (a) is maintained at the crossing, while any railroad train or railroad track equipment occupies the crossing or approaches so closely to the crossing as to constitute a hazard of collision.

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; 2005 a. 95; 2011 a. 101.

346.445 346.445 Limitations on pedestrians and personal delivery devices crossing railroad tracks.

346.445(1) (1) No pedestrian may enter or cross a railroad crossing, and no personal delivery device operator may allow a personal delivery device to enter or cross a railroad crossing, under any of the following circumstances:

346.445(1)(a) (a) While a traffic officer or railroad employee signals to stop.

346.445(1)(b) (b) While a warning device signals to stop, except that if the pedestrian after stopping and investigating, or the personal delivery device operator after stopping the personal delivery device and investigating, finds that no railroad train or railroad track equipment is approaching, the pedestrian or personal delivery device may proceed.

346.445(1)(c) (c) If any crossbuck sign specified under s. 192.29 (5) (a) is maintained at the crossing, while a railroad train or railroad track equipment occupies the crossing or approaches so closely to the crossing as to constitute a hazard of collision.

346.445(2) (2) No pedestrian may cross, and no personal delivery device operator may allow a personal delivery device to cross, through, around, over, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

346.445(3) (3) No pedestrian may cross through or around or climb over or under, and no personal delivery device operator may allow a personal delivery device to cross through or around or climb over or under, a railroad train or railroad track equipment while the railroad train or railroad track equipment occupies a railroad crossing.

346.445 History History: 2013 a. 219; 2017 a. 13.

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)(a) (a) Every motor bus transporting passengers.

346.45(1)(am) (am) Every vehicle painted and displaying markings in accordance with s. 347.44 (1).

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 a classification of marking or placarding that requires the vehicle to stop.

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 degrees Fahrenheit, as determined by the test method approved for that product by ASTM International.

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).