Crossing The Road
Wis. Stat. 346.24 — with no signal or officer, the driver yields in a marked or unmarked crosswalk
In a crosswalk with no signal or officer, the driver yields. At an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is not controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle yields the right of way to a pedestrian or personal delivery device crossing within a marked or unmarked crosswalk, and to a person riding a bicycle, electric scooter or electric personal assistive mobility device there in a manner consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians.
A crosswalk does not have to be painted. The rule reaches an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection as well as a painted one. An ordinary intersection with no paint across it still has a crosswalk, and the driver's duty does not wait for a line to be drawn.
Outside a crosswalk, the pedestrian yields. Every pedestrian, bicyclist or rider of an electric scooter or electric personal assistive mobility device crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk yields the right of way to all vehicles on the roadway.
| Where the crossing is | Who yields |
|---|---|
| Where the crossing isIn a marked crosswalk, no signal or officer | Who yieldsThe driver |
| Where the crossing isIn an unmarked crosswalk, no signal or officer | Who yieldsThe driver |
| Where the crossing isAnywhere else on the roadway | Who yieldsThe pedestrian |
The right of way is not unconditional. No pedestrian, bicyclist or rider suddenly leaves a curb or other place of safety and walks, runs or rides into the path of a vehicle so close that it is difficult for the operator to yield. The word in this section is difficult, not impossible.
The car behind. Whenever any vehicle is stopped at an intersection or crosswalk to let a pedestrian or rider cross, the operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear may not overtake and pass it.
Crossings at a working signal follow the signal, under sections that are not on this page. Who was at fault in a particular collision, and what a particular ticket means, are questions for a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Wis. Stat. 346.24 — Crossing at uncontrolled intersection or crosswalk
- Wis. Stat. 346.25 — Crossing at place other than crosswalk
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.