An automobile stopping on the highway or street can be dangerous and create an unreasonable risk of harm to the driver, his passengers and others on the roadways. Wisconsin law on stopping has some specific rules of the road to help guide us in varying stopping situations.
FLASHING RED TRAFFIC CONTROL LIGHT
When a red traffic control light is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the intersection at the nearest crosswalk or at a limit line if marked, or, if there is no crosswalk or limit line, then before entering the intersection; the right to proceed is subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
STOPPING BEFORE LEAVING ALLEY OR NONHIGHWAY ACCESS
A safety statute provides that the driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley or about to cross or enter a highway from any point of access other than another highway shall stop the vehicle immediately prior to moving onto the sidewalk, or onto the sidewalk area extending across the path of the vehicle, and shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian, and upon crossing or entering the roadway shall yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway.
STOP AT STOP SIGNS
A safety statute provides that the driver of a vehicle approaching an official stop sign at an intersection shall cause the vehicle to stop before entering the intersection.
The stop required shall be made in the following manner:
(a) If there is a clearly marked stop line, the driver shall stop the vehicle immediately before crossing this line.
(b) If there is no clearly marked stop line, the driver shall stop the vehicle immediately before entering the nearest crosswalk.
(c) If there is neither a clearly marked stop line nor a marked or unmarked crosswalk at the intersection, the driver shall stop the vehicle before entering the intersection at a point from which the driver can efficiently observe traffic on the intersecting roadway.
(d) If the driver cannot efficiently observe traffic on the intersecting roadway from the stop made at the stop line or crosswalk, the driver shall, before entering the intersection, again stop the vehicle at a point as will enable the driver to efficiently observe the traffic on the intersecting roadway.
Not all stopping on the street is negligence. McCormick Law Office attorneys get the best settlement results in stopping on the highway cases when there is direct evidence of the defendant’s negligence in causing damages, including medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering. Direct evidence can include witness testimony or video footage. Indirect evidence may include accident reconstruction based on debris, skid marks and vehicle damage.
