346.195 Owner’s liability for vehicle failing to yield the right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle.

386 words·~2 min read·/wi/chapter-346/346-195

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(1)Subject to s. 346.01

(2), the owner of a vehicle involved in a violation of s. 346.19

(1)for failing to yield the right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle shall be liable for the violation as provided in this section.

(2)The operator of an authorized emergency vehicle who observes a violation of s. 346.19

(1)for failing to yield the right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle may prepare a written report indicating that a violation has occurred. If possible, the report shall contain the following information:

(a)The time and the approximate location at which the violation occurred.

(b)The license number and color of the vehicle involved in the violation.

(c)Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

(3)Within 24 hours after observing the violation, the operator of the authorized emergency vehicle may deliver the report to a traffic officer of the county or municipality in which the violation occurred. A report that does not contain all the information in sub.

(2)shall, nevertheless, be delivered and shall be maintained by the county or municipality for statistical purposes.

(a)Within 48 hours after receiving a report containing all the information in sub.

(2)and after investigating the violation, the traffic officer may prepare a uniform traffic citation under s. 345.11 and may personally serve it upon the owner of the vehicle.

(b)If with reasonable diligence the owner cannot be served under par.

(a), service may be made by leaving a copy of the citation at the owner’s usual place of abode within this state in the presence of a competent member of the family at least 14 years of age, who shall be informed of the contents thereof.

(c)If with reasonable diligence the owner cannot be served under par.

(a)or

(b)or if the owner lives outside of the jurisdiction of the issuing authority, service may be made by certified mail addressed to the owner’s last-known address.

(a)Except as provided in par.

(b), it shall be no defense to a violation of this section that the owner was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.