Chapter 346, RULES OF THE ROAD

346.01 Words and phrases defined. (1) Words and phrases defined in s. 340.01 are used in the same sense in this chapter unless a different definition is specifically provided. (1m) In this chapter, in addition to the meaning given in s. 340.01 (22), “highway” includes a private r…

346.02 Applicability of chapter. 346.02(1)(1) Applies primarily upon highways. This chapter applies exclusively upon highways except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter. 346.02(2)(2) Applicability to persons riding or driving animals or propelling push carts. Every pe…

346.03 Applicability of rules of the road to authorized emergency vehicles. (1) The operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, when responding to but not upon returning fr…

346.04 Obedience to traffic officers, signs and signals; fleeing from officer. (1) No person including a personal delivery device operator shall fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order, signal, or direction of a traffic officer. (2) No operator of a vehicle shall disobey t…

346.05 Vehicles to be driven on right side of roadway; exceptions. (1) Upon all roadways of sufficient width the operator of a vehicle shall drive on the right half of the roadway and in the right-hand lane of a 3-lane highway, except: (a) When making an approach for a left turn …

346.06 Meeting of vehicles. Operators of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and upon roadways having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction each operator shall give to the other at least one-half of the main trave…

346.07 Overtaking and passing on the left. The following rules govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules stated in ss. 346.075 (2) and 346.08 to 346.11: (2) The operator of a vehicle …

346.072 Passing certain stopped vehicles. (1g) In this section: (am) “Disabled vehicle” means a motor vehicle that is stopped and to which any of the following applies: 1. The motor vehicle is displaying warning or hazard lights. 2. Emergency flares or other emergency warning dev…

346.075 Overtaking certain vehicles and devices. 346.08 When overtaking and passing on the right permitted. 346.09 Limitations on overtaking on left or driving on left side of roadway. 346.10 When passing at a railroad crossing, intersection, bridge, viaduct or tunnel prohibited.…

346.08 When overtaking and passing on the right permitted. The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting the movement in safety and only if the operator can do so while remaining on either the roadway or a paved sh…

346.09 Limitations on overtaking on left or driving on left side of roadway. (1) Upon any roadway where traffic is permitted to move in both directions simultaneously, the operator of a vehicle shall not drive to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passin…

346.10 When passing at a railroad crossing, intersection, bridge, viaduct or tunnel prohibited. (1) The operator of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction when approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any railroad crossing unl…

346.11 Passing or meeting frightened animal. Whenever a person riding, driving or leading an animal which is frightened gives a signal of distress to the operator of a motor vehicle by a raising of the hand or otherwise, the operator of the motor vehicle shall promptly stop the v…

346.12 Driving through safety zones prohibited. The operator of a vehicle shall not at any time drive through or over a safety zone when such safety zone is clearly indicated.

346.13 Driving on roadways laned for traffic. Whenever any roadway has been divided into 2 or more clearly indicated lanes, including those roadways divided into lanes by clearly indicated longitudinal joints, the following rules, in addition to all others consistent with this se…

346.14 Distance between vehicles. (1b) In this section, “platoon” means a group of individual motor vehicles traveling in a unified manner at electronically coordinated speeds. (1m) The operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable a…

346.15 Driving on divided highway. Whenever any highway has been divided into 2 roadways by an intervening unpaved or otherwise clearly indicated dividing space or by a physical barrier constructed to substantially impede crossing by vehicular traffic, the operator of a vehicle s…

346.16 Use of controlled-access highways, expressways and freeways. (1) No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from a controlled-access highway, expressway or freeway except through an opening provided for that purpose. (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), no pedestrian or pe…

346.17 Penalty for violating sections 346.04 to 346.16. (1) Except as provided in subs. (5) and (6), any person violating s. 346.04 (1) or (2), 346.06, 346.12 or 346.13 (1) or (3) may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor more than $40 for the first offense and not less th…

346.175 Vehicle owner’s liability for fleeing a traffic officer. (1) (a) Subject to s. 346.01 (2), the owner of a vehicle involved in a violation of s. 346.04 (2t) or (3) for fleeing a traffic officer shall be presumed liable for the violation as provided in this section. (b) Not…

346.177 Railroad crossing improvement surcharge for vehicles illegally passing at railroad crossings. SUBCHAPTER III RIGHT-OF-WAY 346.18 General rules of right-of-way. 346.19 What to do on approach of emergency vehicle.

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…

346.19 What to do on approach of emergency vehicle. (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 paral…

346.195 Owner’s liability for vehicle failing to yield the right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle. 346.20 Right-of-way of funeral processions and military convoys.

346.20 Right-of-way of funeral processions and military convoys. (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 whe…

346.205 Owner’s liability for vehicle failing to yield the right-of-way to a funeral procession. 346.21 Right-of-way of livestock.

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. History…

346.215 Emergency vehicles operated as escorts and rights-of-way related to escorted vehicles. 346.22 Penalty for violating sections 346.18 to 346.21. SUBCHAPTER IV RESPECTIVE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF DRIVERS AND OTHER HIGHWAY USERS 346.23 Crossing controlled intersection or crosswal…

346.22 Penalty for violating sections 346.18 to 346.21. (1) (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 les…

346.23 Crossing controlled intersection or crosswalk. (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 pe…

346.24 Crossing at uncontrolled intersection or crosswalk. (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, o…

346.25 Crossing at place other than crosswalk. Every pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to all vehic…

346.26 Blind pedestrian on highway. (1) An operator of a vehicle shall stop the vehicle before approaching closer than 10 feet to a pedestrian who is carrying a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white trimmed with red and which is held in an extended or raised posi…

346.27 Persons working on highway. The operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to persons engaged in maintenance or construction work on a highway whenever the operator is notified of their presence by flagmen or warning signs. History: 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 490.

346.28 Pedestrians to walk on left side of highway; drivers to yield on sidewalks. (1) Any pedestrian traveling along and upon a highway other than upon a sidewalk shall travel on and along the left side of the highway and upon meeting a vehicle shall, if practicable, move to the…

346.29 When standing or loitering in roadway or highway prohibited. (1) No person shall be on a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the operator of any vehicle other than a public passenger vehicle. (2) No person shall stand or loiter on any roadway other than in a …

346.30 Penalty for violating sections 346.23 to 346.29. (1) (a) Any pedestrian violating s. 346.23, 346.24 (2), 346.25, 346.28 or 346.29 and any personal delivery device operator violating s. 346.23 or 346.24 (2) may be required to forfeit not less than $2 nor more than $20 for t…

346.31 Required position and method of turning at intersections. (1) TURNS INDICATED BY PAVEMENT MARKINGS. Where state or local authorities have placed pavement markings or signs within or adjacent to an intersection directing traffic turning at such intersection to follow a part…

346.32 Required position for turning into private road or driveway. The operator of a vehicle on a highway who intends to turn into a private road or driveway shall make the approach for the turn in the same manner as specified in s. 346.31 for vehicles making an approach for a r…

346.33 U-turns. (1) The operator of a vehicle may not make a U-turn upon a highway at any of the following places: (a) At any intersection at which traffic is being controlled by a traffic officer unless instructed by the officer to make a U-turn. (b) In mid-block on any street i…

346.34 Turning movements and required signals on turning and stopping. (1) TURNING. (a) No person may: 1. Turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in s. 346.31. 2. Turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway un…

346.35 Method of giving signals on turning and stopping. Whenever a stop or turn signal is required by s. 346.34, such signal may in any event be given by a signal lamp or lamps of a type meeting the specifications set forth in s. 347.15. Except as provided in s. 347.15 (3m), suc…

346.36 Penalty for violating sections 346.31 to 346.35. (1) Except as provided in subs. (2) and (3), any person violating ss. 346.31 to 346.35 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…

346.37 Traffic-control signal legend. (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…

346.38 Pedestrian control signals. (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 cross…

346.39 Flashing signals. Whenever flashing red or yellow signals are used they require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows: (1) FLASHING RED (STOP SIGNAL). When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, operators of vehicles shall stop before entering the n…

346.40 Whistle signals. (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: (a) One blast of the whistle means that all traffic not wit…

346.41 Display of unauthorized signs and signals prohibited. (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: (a) Purports t…

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 s…

346.43 Penalty for violating sections 346.37 to 346.42. (1) (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 2n…