Chapter 346

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.

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.