Highway Code for Wisconsin Drivers
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Have you recently moved to Wisconsin and/or are planning to ride in this beautiful state? Whether you've lived in or visited Wisconsin all your life, you might want to brush up on the rules of the road here.
Traffic Rules for Safe Driving in Wisconsin
All drivers and passengers of moving vehicles in Wisconsin must wear safety belt.
Infants under one year of age and/or weighing less than 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child seat in the rear seat. Children between the ages of one and four must be secured in an appropriate forward-facing child seat in the rear seat. Booster seats must be used for children aged four to eight who are not yet 4'9" or taller and/or weigh less than 40 pounds.
You should always stop at school buses with flashing red lights when approaching from the front or rear, unless you are approaching from the opposite direction on a divided road. Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus.
In Wisconsin you must always yield emergency vehicles at or approaching intersections or roundabouts. You must also give way to them and/or stop to allow them to pass if they are overtaking you from behind.
You must always yield pedestrians, which are located at pedestrian crossings or cross unmarked intersections. Be aware of pedestrians at crosswalks when turning at a signalized intersection.
Bike pathsmarked "Bicycles" are for bicycles. It is prohibited to enter, enter or park in one of these lanes. However, you can cross the bike path to turn or get to a curbside parking space, but you must first give way to cyclists in the lane.
When you see red flashing traffic lights, you must come to a complete stop, give way and proceed when it is safe to do so. When you see flashing yellow traffic lights, you should slow down and drive with caution.
When you reach four way stop, you must come to a complete stop and give way to any vehicles that have reached the intersection before you. If you arrive at the same time as other vehicles, yield to vehicles on your right.
Failed traffic lights will not flash or stay on. Treat them the same as a four-way stop.
Motorcyclists persons aged 17 and under must wear Wisconsin-approved helmets. Drivers over the age of 17 are not required by law to wear helmets. To legally operate a motorcycle in Wisconsin, you must first obtain a training permit, then practice safe driving and pass a skill test to obtain Class M approval on your license.
Walkthrough slower moving vehicles are allowed as long as there is a dashed yellow or white line between lanes. You may not drive in areas where there are No-Traffic Zone signs and/or where there is a solid yellow or white line between traffic lanes.
You can do right on red only after a complete stop and check the legality of the turn. Drivers cannot turn right on red if there is a prohibition sign.
reversals prohibited at intersections where a policeman is directing traffic, unless the policeman instructs you to make a U-turn. They are also prohibited between intersections in cities and in places where a "no U-turn" sign is posted.
You can never legally block an intersection with your vehicle. If traffic prevents you from passing the entire intersection, you must wait until you have enough space to properly clear the intersection.
Linear measurement signals allow vehicles to seamlessly merge with freeway traffic even during periods of heavy traffic. These signals are placed at exits and look like traffic lights. A green light means that the first vehicle in line can enter the freeway. Two-lane entrances may have one ramp meter per lane.
In Wisconsin HOV lanes (high capacity vehicles) are marked with a white diamond and a sign with the inscription "HOV" and a number. The number indicates how many passengers must be in the vehicle in order to move in the lane. "HOV 4" means there must be four people in vehicles in that lane.
Drunk driving, accidents and other legal issues for Wisconsin drivers
As in many other states, drunk driving (DUI) defined as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher for adults aged 21 and over. Under Wisconsin's "Not a Drop" policy, drivers under the age of 21 will be prosecuted for drunk driving if they have alcohol in their system at all.
Drivers participating in accidents in Wisconsin should get their cars out of the way if possible and call the police to file a complaint. If someone is injured and/or if any vehicles or property are seriously damaged, you must dial 911.
Car drivers are allowed to use radar detectors in Wisconsin, but commercial drivers cannot.
Vehicles registered in Wisconsin must show both front and rear. number plates at all times.
