Section 346.18. General rules of right-of-way.

 

(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 of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. The operator of any vehicle driving at an unlawful speed forfeits any right-of-way which he or she would otherwise have under this subsection.

(2)   Turning left or making a U-turn at intersection. The operator of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left or make a U-turn shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

(3)   Rule at intersection with through highway. The operator of a vehicle shall stop as required by s. 346.46 (2) (a) , (b) or (c) before entering a through highway, and shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles which have entered or are approaching the intersection upon the through highway.

(3m)   Uncontrolled “ T" intersection. At an intersection where traffic is not controlled by an official traffic control device or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle approaching the intersection on a highway which terminates at the intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching the intersection on a highway which continues through the intersection.

(4)   Entering highway from alley or nonhighway access. The operator of a vehicle entering a highway from an alley or from a point of access other than another highway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway which the operator is entering.

(5)   Moving from parked position. The operator of any vehicle that has been parked or standing shall, while moving such vehicle from such position, yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway.

(6)   Right-of-way where yield sign installed. The operator of a vehicle, when approaching any intersection at which has been installed a yield sign, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles which have entered the intersection from an intersecting highway or which are approaching so closely on the intersecting highway as to constitute a hazard of collision and, if necessary, shall reduce speed or stop in order to so yield.

(7)   Entering alley or driveway from highway.

(a) The operator of any vehicle intending to turn to the left into an alley or private driveway across the path of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle.

(b) The operator of any vehicle crossing a sidewalk or entering an alley or driveway from a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, vehicle or conveyance on the sidewalk or in the alley or driveway.

(8)   Roundabout.

(a) The operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle or combination of vehicles with a total length of not less than 40 feet or a total width of not less than 10 feet when approaching or driving through a roundabout at approximately the same time or so closely as to constitute a hazard of collision and, if necessary, shall reduce speed or stop in order to so yield.

(b) If 2 vehicles or combinations of vehicles each having a total length of not less than 40 feet or a total width of not less than 10 feet approach or drive through a roundabout at approximately the same time or so closely as to constitute a hazard of collision, the operator of the vehicle or combination of vehicles on the right shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle or combination of vehicles on the left and, if necessary, shall reduce speed or stop in order to so yield.

1979 c. 210 ; 1987 a. 25 , 28 ; 1991 a. 316 ; 1993 a. 490 ; 2009 a. 46 , 97 ; 2015 a. 139 . A driver who makes a left turn that results in an accident is not always guilty of more negligence than the other driver; the comparison is for the jury. Pucci v. Rausch, 51 Wis. 2d 513 , 187 N.W.2d 138 (1971).