Senate Bill 409 aims to amend Wisconsin's existing "move over or slow down" law to enhance safety for both emergency and disabled vehicles on the road. The bill expands the definition of vehicles that require passing motorists to either move over or slow down to include disabled vehicles, which are defined as those displaying warning lights, having emergency flares nearby, or attended by visible individuals. The bill also renumbers and modifies existing legal language to reflect these changes, specifically renumbering sections related to emergency vehicles and creating a new definition for disabled vehicles.

Additionally, the bill amends the existing statute to clarify that when approaching either an emergency vehicle or a disabled vehicle parked within 12 feet of a roadway, drivers must proceed with caution. They are required to either change lanes if safe to do so or reduce their speed while passing. This legislative change is intended to improve safety for all road users by ensuring that drivers are aware of and responsive to the presence of disabled vehicles, in addition to emergency vehicles.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 346.072(title), 346.072, 346.072(1g)(intro.), 346.072(1m)