Traffic Safety

Traffic Laws

346.79(2)(a) No bicycle may be used to carry or transport more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed. Prohibits passengers from riding on foot pegs, handlebars, or the cross bar.

346.80 (2)(a) Any person riding a bicycle on the street is to ride as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb of the unobstructed traveled roadway.

347.489 (1) Lamps on bicycles are required when on a highway, sidewalk, bicycle lane, or bicycle way during the hours of darkness. A headlamp is required when riding at night while riding on these bicycle ways. The bicycle must have a red rear reflector of at least 2 inches in surface area. A lamp may be used in conjunction with the reflector, but a reflector is always needed.

Ordinance 27-57 Bicycles must be registered at the City of Oshkosh.

Ord 27-57 Parents allowing unregistered operation of bicycle.

Ord 27-63B Bicycles must yield to pedestrians on the side walk.

346.24 (1) Pedestrians shall cross at a marked or unmarked crosswalk or at a corner where a crosswalk would be.

346.28 (1) Any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway other than upon a sidewalk shall travel on and along the left side of the road (facing traffic) and upon meeting a vehicle, move to the extreme outer limit of the traveled portion of the highway.

At different times of the year motorists are reminded to be more alert for approaching emergency vehicles. Heater/air conditioner running, windows up, your favorite tune playing on the car stereo system all make it difficult to hear an emergency vehicle's siren.

Please drive accordingly. Be alert and yield to a police car, fire truck, or ambulance that is responding to an emergency in your community.

According to the following State Statutes:

346.57 (4) (a) Fifteen miles per hour when passing a schoolhouse at those times when children are going to or from school or are playing within the sidewalk area at or about the school.

346.57 (4) (b) Fifteen miles per hour when passing an intersection or other location properly marked with a "school crossing" sign of a type approved by the department when any of the following conditions exist:

346.57 (4) (b) (1)

1. Any child is present.

346.57 (4) (b) (2)

2. A school crossing guard is within a crosswalk at the intersection or the other location or, if no crosswalk exists, is in the roadway at the intersection or the other location.

346.57 (4) (b) (3)

3. A school crossing guard is placing in or removing from the roadway at or near the intersection or the other location a temporary sign or device that guides, warns, or regulates traffic.

Even if a child is not present, speeds must still be reduced at intersections and in conditions requiring reduced speed. The following statutes address this issue:

346.57 (2)

REASONABLE AND PRUDENT LIMIT. No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard for the actual and potential hazards then existing. The speed of a vehicle shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any object, person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and using due care.

346.57 (3)

CONDITIONS REQUIRING REDUCED SPEED. The operator of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of sub. (2), drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hillcrest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, when passing school children, highway construction or maintenance workers or other pedestrians, and when special hazard exists with regard to other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.

2007 Assembly Bill 26 states:

Current law requires the operator of a motor vehicle approaching a school crossing which is controlled by a duly appointed adult school crossing guard to follow the directions of the crossing guard, including stopping when directed to do so. Current law also provides that if an adult crossing guard observes such a violation, the crossing guard may prepare a written report identifying the vehicle and, within 24 hours, deliver the report to a traffic officer of the county or municipality in which the violation occurred. Within 48 hours, the traffic officer may prepare a traffic citation and serve it on the owner of the vehicle.

Crossing guards provide safe crossing for school children at 18 intersections throughout the city. School crossing guards assist over 1,500 children each day to safely cross busy streets.

With the support of AAA's School Safety Patrol Program, schools are able to provide school patrol elementary students to assist the crossing guards. AAA makes available the tools to train the children as well as provide the protective gear necessary to keep our school patrol students safe. If you would like more information regarding the AAA School Safety Patrol Program, simply click the AAA logo: