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As a public service, the Hales Corners Police Department is highlighting selected local ordinances and state statute to help make you more aware of your legal rights, obligations and responsibilities. This is not a complete listing of the Village Ordinances or Wisconsin State but only those generally applicable to most residents and visitors and commonly enforced by the Police Department. They are provided for the benefit of the public with the belief that an informed and knowledgeable public is s law abiding public. |
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Abandoned vehicles WHY DO WE ENFORCE TRAFFIC LAWS? It is the policy of the Hales Corners Police Department to enforce all traffic laws on the streets of the Village of Hales Corners. With a interstate interchange (The HALE Interchange) just north of the Village and a US Highway (US 45 / STH 100 / South 108th Street), a State Highway (STH 24) and County Highway (CTY 00) traversing the Village and leading to the interchange and Interstate I-43 the Village streets carry an abundance of transient traffic on a daily basis. Active enforcement of all laws regarding registration, vehicle equipment, operator licensing and traffic laws has led to a reduction of accidents upon the highways and streets of the Village thus making our streets safer for all motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. In addition these traffic stops have also led to the arrests of motorists wanted on arrest warrants, operating while intoxicated, operating without drivers licenses and operating after having had their operating privilege revoked or suspended. The following are a majority of the violations encountered by our officers. In that it is not our intention to in any way harass or interfere with our citizens or any law abiding citizen please inspect your vehicle(s) to ensure they are in compliance with registration and equipment requirements and reflect on your driving habits which may endanger yourself and others. Return to Topics OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICANTS OR DRUGS: Suffice to say PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! Use a designated driver! Alcohol and drugs in almost any quantity can affect one’s ability to safely drive a vehicle by slowing one’s reaction time or otherwise impairing one’s judgment. Driving requires more than simply getting behind the steering wheel and following the road home. It requires dividing your attention between multiple tasks such as steering, speed control, lane control, watching for other traffic, signs, signals, pedestrians, perceiving and reacting to hazards one might encounter and otherwise safely operating 2000 or more pounds of metal traveling often in excess of 35 Miles-per-hour in the midst of other vehicles. When driving impaired from the use of drugs or alcohol one cannot divide one’s attention and consequently cannot safely operate a vehicle. Drinking and driving is irresponsible and dangerous, to yourself, those who might be traveling in your vehicle and to each and every motorist sharing the road with you. Think how you would feel if one of our officers arrive at your door some morning with the sorrowful news that your husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister or another relative will not be coming home anymore because a drunk driver collided with the car they were operating or traveling in and killed them. Would you want to be the driver that killed him/her/them? SPEEDING: The highest speed limit on Village streets and highways is 40 Miles per Hour (MPH) which exist as you enter or exit the Village from the City of Franklin on US Highway 45 (Wis Hwy 100) and on that stretch of West Forest Home Avenue North of Grange Avenue. The remainder of West Forest Home Avenue, West Janesville Road and South 108th Street (US Highway 45; Wis Hwy 100) are posted at 35 MPH. This includes Highway 100 as you approach or exit from the Hale Interchange. Highway 100 and Edgerton is one of our major intersections and one at which a majority of our accidents occur. Grange Avenue for its entire length from 92nd Street to 124th Street is posted at 30 MPH with all remaining side streets being 25 MPH. Speeding is one of the primary causes for collisions. Any increase in speed deprives an operator of valuable time and distance in stopping his or her vehicle AND increases the severity of injuries sustained in a collision. A frontal impact collision at 35 MPH for example is 1/3 more violent than one at 30 MPH. Contrary to common belief vehicles DO NOT “stop on a dime”. For instance a vehicle traveling at 35 MPH is traveling at approximately 51 feet per second. This is roughly 3 car lengths per second. It may not seem like it because our senses have been dulled by the day to day operations of our vehicles. Pick out a point of the roadway you are going to pass and when you pass it start counting Aone-one-thousand” and see where you are when you finish. At even 35 MPH you are traveling quite a distance. Now consider this. On the average an operator will take approximately 1.6 seconds to react once he/she had perceived a hazard requiring either a braking or evasive maneuver. (This length of time may vary, being less or more depending on age, experience and physical condition.) In this 1.6 seconds at 35 MPH he/she will have traveled roughly 81 feet or approximately 5 car lengths before braking or evading. On a highway such as US 45 the emergency braking distance for a car traveling at 35 MPH is approximately 51 feet. This makes for a total stopping distance of 132 feet or an estimated 8 car lengths to stop. At 45 MPH the reaction time increases to 105 feet, the stopping distance to 85 feet for a total of 190 feet to stop. This is approximately 12 car lengths. This difference of 58 feet caused by an increase in 10 MPH could well be the difference between stopping in time and avoiding a collision and becoming involved in one. At what speed do you travel? Would you be able to stop safely? Violation of traffic laws related to speeding are costly even if one does not become involved in a collision because of it and incur all the costs incumbent with a collision. The following costs for specific violations are in effect as of 04/19/02 but are subject to change without notice.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS: In todays hectic world it seems we all are pressed for time with schedules and dead lines to meet. As a result some motorists attempt to push the envelop to save time whenever and where ever they can. When driving this proves to be dangerous. Two of the major causes for accidents at our major intersections is an operator’s failure to stop for the a yellow light which precedes a red light and the failure to stop for the red light. Contrary to common belief a yellow light IS NOT an indicator that one should speed up so as to avoid stopping for the red light. This yellow signal does indicate that one should stop because a red light is about to be signaled. It is a safety message so that vehicles DO NOT violate a red light nor slam on their brakes to stop when the light turns red. Despite this we find motorists pushing the yellow so they do not have to wait that minute for the light to turn green. Often, too often this results in accidents. An example: Picture yourself making a left turn at a controlled intersection. You have been patient - waiting for traffic to clear so that you can proceed with your turn in safety. The light now turns yellow. You look down the roadway and see a vehicle approaching. It is far enough away from the intersection to stop safely before the light turns red and you expect that it will. You begin your turn across the lanes of traffic supposedly stopping for the yellow light. Only this vehicles operator has no intention of stopping for he/she does not want to be delayed by the red light. The operator either continues at the speed he/she was driving or increases it is the hope of Amaking” the yellow light. The only problem being that you have not begun pull across his/her intended path through the intersection. Despite braking (see SPEEDING) he/she is unable to avoid colliding with you. Now not only are there possible injuries and definite vehicle damage to both your vehicles, but both he/she and you both end up delayed - perhaps indefinitely. In addition other motorists are inconvenienced, delayed, detoured by the roadway being obstructed by your vehicles. All this for someone not wanting to be delayed for a minute. At 35 MPH this would have allowed the driver to been only 6/10ths of a mile further down the road before the next green signal! Do you push the yellow? Return to Topics FAILURE TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY: Please be a considerate driver. The general rule of Aright” of way is that at a intersection where two vehicles approach the intersection at the same time the vehicle to the Aright” has the right of way. If there is a dispute chose to be the operator who allows the other motorist to proceed first. You will be on your way moments later and be the better driver for it. One of the main cause for accidents at our major intersections is failure to yield right of way while making a left turn. Vehicles making a left turn are obliged to. As was stated under “Traffic Signals@ an operator making a left turn at a controlled intersection often assumes a vehicle on the through highway is going to stop when it is operator has no intention of doing so. Take the safe assumption and assume the vehicle will not stop until it actually does. Then complete your turn. You may have to wait a few seconds more but you will be able to complete your trip safely. The fine for failure to yield is $75.20 and 4 points. Return to Topics SEAT BELTS: Seat belts save lives. The Wisconsin Statutes require that the operators and passengers of motor vehicles being operated on the highways and roadways of our state be secured within the vehicle by use of seatbelts and in specific age categories by child restraint seats. The statutes make the operator of the vehicle responsible for the proper safeguarding of passengers 15 years and younger. Though traffic stops cannot be effected solely on the basis of observed seat belt violations by adults, vehicles can be stopped for obvious violations involving unprotected minor passengers. Seat belts not only protect vehicle occupants from being thrown out of the vehicle in the case of a collision but also retain drivers in a position from which they can control their vehicle after an evasive maneuver or collision and protect occupants from being battered about by other occupants should the vehicle be caused to tip or roll over.
PASSENGERS IN PICK UP TRUCK BEDS: Wisconsin State Statute 346.922 prohibits transporting children under the age of 16 years in the open cargo area of a pickup truck weighing under 10000 pounds. Please think twice about transporting anyone of the back of any pickup truck. Should your vehicle be struck it offers little protection if any to anyone conveyed there in and should the vehicle roll over in an accident they will most definitely been thrown from the vehicle and risk having it roll over them. Fine amounts: 1st Violation $50.40; 2nd Violation $100.00.Return to Topics ACCIDENTS: Accidents are a misnomer except for the fact that they are often if not always unintentional. No one intentionally becomes involved in a collision. However, collisions are often if not always the result of an operator or operators failure to obey some traffic rule or regulation. Speed, failure to yield right of way, violation of traffic control signal by vehicle, inattentive driving, unsafe backing, speeding , operating under the influence, following too close, failure to stop for stop signs are all causes for collisions. Did you know that 29% of all FATAL crashes in Wisconsin were speed related. That chances of death double for every 10 MPH over 50 MPH. That 90% of the speed related FATAL crashes did not occur on the interstate. That the number of crashes go down when people drive the posted speed limit. Help reduce the possibility of your own personal involvement by slowing down, bucking up and driving courteously. Drive like you would want people to drive in your neighborhood. NOTE: Traffic enforcement in the Village has resulted in a lowering of traffic accidents on our roadways in the Village. In 2001 the Village had 214 reportable accidents. This was the second lowest yearly total since 1982 and the only lower yearly total was the 200 reported in 2000. The highest year since 1982 was 1984 with a reportable 371 accidents. The Village has consistently been below that number since. Return to Topics VEHICLE PLATES: The Department of motor vehicle issues two (2) plates to passenger cars and small trucks. Whenever two plates are issued BOTH PLATES are required to be displayed with the year sticker being displayed on the lower right corner of the REAR plate. Wisconsin State Statute 341.15(2) reads as follows: Registration plates shall be attached firmly and rigidly in a horizontal position and conspicuous place. The plates shall at all times be maintained in a legible condition and shall be so displayed that they can be readily and distinctly seen and read. Any peace officer may require the operator of any vehicle on which plates are not properly displayed to display such plates as required by this section. License plates are used in identifying stolen vehicles, hit & run vehicles and vehicles used in crimes. Vehicles without license plates may be stolen, unable to pass emissions, belong to a repeat drunk driving offender, belong to someone who failed to pay traffic fines; been used in the commission of a crime, be an habitual traffic offender or may be new to the owner in the last two business days. Many new vehicle do not come equipped with front plate assemblies. This does not invalidate the requirement to display your front plate. Some vehicles are designed with a decorative cover plate which blends in with the front bumper such as are found on Chevrolet Corvettes and other Sport vehicles. These vehicles likewise must have their front plates displayed and front plate assemblies are generally found underneath these cover plates. The operator of a vehicle which does not have both plates displayed, or plates which are improperly displayed or illegible due to an accumulation of dirt or other foreign matter may be stopped and a citation issued . Please take appropriate action to comply with these requirements to avoid being stopped. To fight crime, officers need every tool they can get, which will provide them with cause to interact with the criminal. In Wisconsin a vehicle is stolen every 24 minutes. To protect your investment, to avoid being stopped, properly license your vehicle and urge others to register and DISPLAY BOTH YOUR PLATES. Fine $50.40. VEHICLE REGISTRATION: Vehicles purchased in Wisconsin need to display either Temporary Vehicle Plates (Cardboard) or regular vehicle plates (Metal) within three business days of purchase. ALicense applied for plates” are no longer allowed. Temporary plates can be obtained from the dealership from which the vehicle is purchased or from the motor vehicle department. The fine for operating an unregistered vehicle vehicle is $75.20. Display of an unauthorized plate on a vehicle (i.e. a plate not registered to the particular vehicle) or display of a year sticker not issued for a plate can result in the issuance of a $137.20 citation for display of unauthorized registration. Return to Topics VEHICLE LIGHTS: One of the most obvious equipment violations on a vehicle is a defective headlight. This is a potentially dangerous violation especially on dark two lane roadways where a car with one headlight can be mistaken as a motorcycle with deadly results. Headlights, however are not the only lights on a vehicle. Brake lights (stop lights) taillights, turn signals, reflectors and the rear license plate light must also be maintained in working order. Any light which displays other than a red to the rear or a white or yellow light to the front is illegal as is any flashing light. The fine for light violations is $62.80 and 2 points. While speaking about headlights do not forget to dim your high beams when approaching another vehicle front the front or rear within 500 feet. Return to Topics LOUD MUSIC FROM VEHICLES: Wisconsin State Statute 346.94(16) prohibits operating, parking, stopping or leaving standing a motor vehicle while using a radio or other electric sound amplification device which is audible under normal conditions from a distance of 75 feet or more. 1st Violation is a fine of $87.50; 2nd Violation a fine of $162.00.Return to Topics WALKING ON ROADWAYS: The village has few sidewalks to speak of and thus comes the necessity of walking on the roadway in many of our subdivisions, parks and parkways. For your own safety and to comply with the requirements of the statutes you are requested to walk facing oncoming traffic. That is, your left shoulder should be to the outer edge of the roadway as you walk so that you can see the approaching vehicle. This increases your chances of avoiding being struck by this vehicle by 100% because you have added your two eyes to the drivers two eyes. If the driver is inattentive, blinded by the sun etc. and does not see you, you will still be able to move to avoid the vehicle, something you could not do if approached from behind. Pedestrians can be cited for this violation. Fine $50.40.Return to Topics BICYCLE OPERATION: Bicycling is a popular sport and recreational activity in the Village. Whitnall Park and our quiet subdivisions provide enjoyable places in which to ride. However, many bicyclists have the mistaken conception that traffic laws do not apply to them. This misconception can prove to be dangerous. Bicyclists have to obey traffic rules and regulations the same as do motorists. This is because they do share the same roadways and expectations of both for each to obey established rules promote the safety of all. Bicyclists are required to stop for stop signs and traffic signals the same as vehicles, to ride on the right shoulder in the direction of traffic, to signal turns and stops, yield to vehicles when entering roadway and to operate their bicycles safely. These are but some of the violations that can be cited. All bicycle violations carry a $50.40 fine. Return to Topics SKATEBOARDS & ROLLER SKIS: Village ordinance 2.16 prohibits the use of skateboards or roller skis on roadways, public parking lots, sidewalks or public private properly where signs prohibit it, or permission is not otherwise granted. Fine $62.60 Return to Topics IN LINE SKATES: Wisconsin State Statute 346.94(17) expressly prohibits the use of inline skates on any Wisconsin State Highway. This effectively prohibits their use on South 108th Street, also known as Wisconsin Highway 100 and South 108th Street, West Forest Home Avenue and West Janesville Road both of which constitute Wisconsin Highway 24. Fine $50.40. Return to Topics LEAVING KEYS IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE: A car is stolen in Wisconsin every 24 minutes. Do not let your vehicle become one of them because of a common convenience related error. When you leave your vehicle unattended please take your keys with you and please do not leave them in the ignition with the engine running. Unattended, idling vehicles are an invitation to theft. Auto thefts are often a crime of Aopportunity”. Do not risk having your vehicle stolen. Leaving the keys in unattended vehicle is a violation of Village Ordinances 2.10. The fine amount is $100.00 Return to Topics ABANDONED VEHICLES: As the registered owner of a motor vehicle you are responsible for that vehicle. Abandonment of that vehicle on Village Roadways or posted private property without permission will result in the vehicle being towed, a citation being issued and you being held responsible for towing and storage fees. The fine for abandoning a motor vehicle is $100.00 Return to Topics OVERNIGHT PARKING: Parking on Village roadways between 2:30A.M. and 6:00 A.M. is restricted to thirty minutes. Parking longer than 30 minutes may result in the issuance of a $20.00 parking ticket. Also see PARKING page in this section. Return to Topics SNOW EMERGENCY PARKING: Whenever the Village declares a SNOW EMERGENCY parking of any vehicles on roadways within the Village is prohibited during the hours for which the snow emergency has been declared. Vehicles will be cited ($20.00) and towed to facilitate the Department of Public Works plowing of our streets. Please make every effort to remove your vehicles from the roadway during these emergencies and thereby assist your local government in effecting the rapid opening of our streets and neighborhoods to traffic flow. Return to Topics CHANGE OF ADDRESS: The Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles requires persons possessing a Wisconsin Drivers License or owning a vehicle registered in Wisconsin to notify them of a change of address within 10 days of the change. The agency maintains separate files on both drivers licenses and vehicle registration so updating one will not necessarily update the other. The U.S. Post Office will notify them of your change of address regarding your vehicle registration if you file a change of address with the post office. It is your responsibility to notify them of your change of address reference your drivers license. You do not have to obtain a new picture drivers license until your current drivers license expires but you are required to update their records regarding your current address. This allows them to forward appropriate drivers license information (renewal forms etc.) as comes necessary. Fines for failure to notify DOT of address change are $62.80. Return to Topics SNOWMOBILES: Snowmobiles provide a great deal of enjoyable and recreational activity during our winters. As with any motorized equipment they must be operated in a responsible manner. Operation of a snowmobile while intoxicated or with a prohibited alcohol concentration of .10 or more is expressly prohibited. Wisconsin State Statute 350.02 governs the operation of snowmobiles on or near roadways and Statute 350.10 other miscellaneous provisions. Travel of medians of divided highways (except to cross) and on the main traveled portion or plowed portion of any highway is prohibited@ unless for emergency purposes during a declared Asnow emergency". Driving on sidewalks is prohibited under State Statute 346.94. There are other regulations regarding snowmobiles which can be found under section 350 of the Wisconsin Statutes and Village Ordinance 2.12 which makes many traffic laws applicable to snow mobiles when they are authorized to be operated on roadways. Fine amounts $100.00. Operating while intoxicated $585.00. Return to Topics SCHOOL BUSES: Many students in the greater Hales Corners area are bused to school. These buses make regular stops along many of our roadways, including the main thorough fares of West Forest Home Avenue and West Janesville Road. Please remember that cars traveling both directions on two lane roadways and the vehicles behind the bus traveling the same direction on a divided highway are required to stop not less than 20 feet from the bus once the buses flashing red warning lights are displayed and the bus has stopped. Do not hesitate to stop for we strictly enforce this violation for the safety of our children. The owner of the vehicle is held liable unless he/she identifies the vehicle’s operator . Fine $230.20 and 4 points. Return to Topics PARKING ON ROADWAYS: Vehicles parked on roadways are required to be parked on the right side of the roadway facing in the direction of traffic. $20.00 Ticket. Return to Topics MOPEDS & MOTOR BICYCLES: The operator of a moped or motor bicycle is required to possess a valid Wisconsin Drivers License to operate a moped or motor bicycle in the State of Wisconsin. Suspension, revocation, cancellation or expiration of a said license prohibits operation. Fine amount $100.00 and 3 points. Return to Topics FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY: Remember to keep your distance when traveling on the highways and roadways of the Village. Give yourself a safe cushion of time and distance to avoid rear ending the vehicle in front of you if it suddenly stops. Remember (see Speeding) vehicles DO NOT stop on a dime. State statutes specify that the operator of a vehicle SHALL NOT follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway. Remember stopping distances increase in wet or snow covered conditions. Drive at appropriate speeds and appropriate distances at all times. Return to Topics CRUISING PROHIBITED. Ordinance 2.22(4) It shall be unlawful for anyone to engage in cruising. For the purposes of this section, the person having control or ownership of a motor vehicle shall be considered the person cruising, without regard as to whether that person was actually driving the motor vehicle each time is passed the traffic control point. Having control or ownership of a motor vehicle shall mean either the owner of said vehicle, if present in the vehicle at the time of the violation, or, if the owner is not present, the person operating the vehicle at the time of violation. “Cruising” shall mean driving a motor vehicle past a traffic control point on a highway in a designated area, more than twice in any two (2) hour period between the hours of 8:00pm and 5:00am. Passing a designated control point a third time under the aforesaid conditions shall constitute unnecessary repetitive driving and cruising and, therefore, a violation of this section. “Designated area” shall mean South 108th Street from North Village Limits to the South Village Limits; West Forest Home Avenue from the East Village Limits to the South Village Limits; West Janesville Road from South 108th Street to the West Village Limits. “Traffic Control Point” shall mean a reference point within or adjacent to a designated area selected by a police officer for the purpose of enforcing this section. Return to Topics |
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