Section 346.215. Emergency vehicles operated as escorts and rights-of-way related to escorted vehicles.

 

(1)  In this section, “emergency vehicle" means an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in s. 340.01 (3) (a) , (c) , (dm) , (e) , (f) , (g) , (h) , or (i) .

(2)  

(a) Except as provided in par. (b) , and notwithstanding s. 346.03 (1) and (4) , the operator of an emergency vehicle escorting any vehicle or procession of vehicles may exercise the privileges specified in s. 346.03 (2) (b) if the operator of the emergency vehicle is giving visual signal as described in s. 346.03 (3) . The operator of the emergency vehicle under this subsection is not required to give an audible signal as described in s. 346.03 (3) . This subsection applies only if the vehicle, or in the case of a procession of vehicles the entire procession, is escorted by at least 2 emergency vehicles, at least one of which is leading the vehicle or procession of vehicles and at least one of which is at the rear of the vehicle or procession of vehicles, and only if the requirement under sub. (4) is satisfied. Notwithstanding ss. 346.18 (3) , 346.37 (1) (c) 1. , and 346.46 (1) and (2) , any operator of a vehicle being escorted under this subsection may accompany these emergency vehicles as they proceed past any red or stop signal or stop sign in accordance with the privileges specified in this subsection.

(b) The operator of an emergency vehicle escorting a vehicle or procession of vehicles, and the operator of any vehicle being escorted, shall yield the right-of-way in accordance with s. 346.19 upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle giving an audible signal by siren.

(3)  Except as provided in sub. (2) (b) , the operator of a vehicle other than an escorted vehicle or escorting emergency vehicle shall yield the right-of-way at an intersection to an escorted vehicle or escorting emergency vehicle and shall not, except when authorized to do so by a traffic officer, drive between these escorting and escorted vehicles.

(4)  The privileges specified in sub. (2) (a) do not apply to the operator of an emergency vehicle unless, prior to escorting any vehicle as provided under sub. (2) (a) , the employer of the operator of the emergency vehicle has provided written guidelines for its employees regarding the escorting of vehicles under this section.

2009 a. 46 ; 2013 a. 313 .