As the school year begins this year, children across the state will be biking, walking, or riding busses to class – all of which involve vehicle traffic and potential danger.
There are an average of 580 traffic fatalities in Wisconsin every year according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. This includes an unusually high number of pedestrians struck by motor vehicles.
This is a perfect time to refresh yourself on a few key traffic laws to help keep you and all of our children safe this year.
Do you think you would get a passing grade on your knowledge of Wisconsin's traffic laws when it comes to schools and kids?
While far from exhaustive, this ten-question quiz will show you if you're at the head of the class or if you need to spend some more time with the Wisconsin Motorists Handbook. (The correct answers follow the quiz.)
1. A school bus traveling in front of you stops to pick up some children. The bus activates its flashing red warning lights. How far do you need to stop behind the bus?
A. 10 feet
B. 20 feet
C. 25 feet
D. 50 feet
2. While driving your car, you see a school crossing guard ahead of you in the street holding a stop sign, allowing children to cross the road. How far do you need to stop from the crossing guard?
A. 10 feet
B. 15 feet
C. 20 feet
D. 25 feet
3. You have a 7-year-old child riding in your vehicle. Does he or she need to be in a child safety seat?
A. Yes
B. No
4. While driving your car, you see a young child riding his bicycle in the roadway. When passing, how much distance do you need to give the bicyclist?
A. 2 feet
B. 3 feet
C. 4 feet
D. 5 feet
5. Your child is going to ride a bicycle along a roadway that doesn't have a bike lane or sidewalk. Where is the appropriate place to ride?
A. Along the edge of the roadway facing oncoming traffic.
B. Along the edge of the roadway in the same direction as traffic.
6. True or false: Skateboards are considered "play vehicles" and cannot be in the roadway.
A. True
B. False
6. You’re driving your car through a school zone that is marked by a sign, and a crossing guard is in view. What is the speed limit?
A. 10 mph
B. 15 mph
C. 25 mph
D. 35 mph
8. You are walking your child home from school and you approach a busy intersection. You see the traffic light is green but the pedestrian control sign says, "Don’t Walk." Can you legally cross?
A. Yes
B. No
9. If there is no crosswalk and you see a pedestrian crossing your lane, you should:
A. Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing
B. Honk you horn and proceed with caution
C. Make sure the pedestrian can see you before proceeding
10. The :"Slower Traffic Keep Right” sign is used:
A. At Roundabouts
B. In School zones
C. At most intersection
D. On multiple lane highways
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At Jones Law Firm we hope that everyone has a safe and rewarding school year! In the event that you or someone you love is in need of any legal assistance this year we are here to help and have the experience you need. Contact us today to set up a free consultation. Please contact us by text or phone at (414) 775-7445 or email at laura@jlfwisconsin.com anytime.
ANSWERS:
1. B. 20 feet. According to Wisconsin State Statute 346.48(1), you need to stop at least 20 feet behind the bus.
2. A. 10 feet. According to Wisconsin State Statute 346.46(2m), a motorist should stop at least 10 feet — and not more than 30 feet — from the school crossing guard. The same distance would apply if a child is crossing the street in a marked crosswalk without a crossing guard. Motorists should stop at least 10 feet before the crosswalk.
3. A. Yes. According to Wisconsin State Statute 347.48(4)(am), any child younger than 8 who does not weigh more than 80 pounds or is at least 57 inches tall must be in a child safety seat.
4. B. 3 feet. According to Wisconsin State Statute 346.075, a motorist must give a bicyclist at least 3 feet of clearance when passing and safely maintain that distance until the pass is completed.
5. B. According to Wisconsin State Statute 346.80, a bicyclist should ride along the edge of the roadway in the same direction as traffic.
6. A. True. According to Wisconsin State Statute 346.78, skateboards are considered “play vehicles” and cannot be in the roadway, unless the skateboard rider is crossing a roadway at a crosswalk.
7. B. 15 mph. According to Wisconsin State Statute 346.57(4) the speed limit in a school zone is 15 mph whenever a child or crossing guard is present.
8. B. No. According to Wisconsin State Statute 346.38, if you have not entered the intersection on a “Walk” light, then you cannot enter.
9. A. At an intersection where traffic is not controlled by traffic signal lights, drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within any crosswalk, marked or unmarked. Even if there is no crosswalk, yield to the pedestrian.
10. D. This sign is posted for those driving slower than the normal speed of traffic on some multilane highways. It reminds the slow driver to drive in the right lane.
*Any articles in the Libra or posted by Jones Law Firm LLC are not legal advice for a particular client or situation. Further no attorney-client relationship is intended or created with this post.*
