Senate Bill 345 aims to enhance pedestrian safety at intersections and crosswalks in Wisconsin by mandating that vehicle operators must stop their vehicles and remain stopped until pedestrians, personal delivery devices, bicyclists, or riders of electric scooters or personal assistive mobility devices have completely crossed the roadway. This bill amends several sections of the statutes, specifically changing the language from requiring vehicle operators to "yield the right-of-way" to a requirement to "stop the vehicle" in these situations. The amendments apply to various scenarios, including intersections controlled by traffic signals and those not controlled by signals, ensuring that the new stopping requirement is consistent across different traffic conditions.

In addition to the primary changes regarding stopping for pedestrians, the bill also clarifies that pedestrians and other non-motorized users must yield to vehicles when they are not in a crosswalk or when the signal is not in their favor. The bill includes specific provisions for divided highways and safety zones, reinforcing the obligation for vehicle operators to stop for crossing pedestrians. Furthermore, it modifies existing traffic signal regulations to ensure that vehicle operators yield to pedestrians and other non-motorized users when making turns at intersections, thereby promoting safer interactions between vehicles and vulnerable road users.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 346.23(1), 346.23, 346.23(2), 346.24(1), 346.24, 346.24(2), 346.37(1)(a)1, 346.37, 346.37(1)(c)3, 346.37(1)(c)4, 346.37(1)(d)1, 346.37(1)(e)1