Disclaimer
This article was written by a contributing author, and is not meant to be taken as legal advice, nor is it intended to replace the state statutes. Do your due diligence, cross-check the statutes linked, and communicate with your local municipalities, registrar, or commissioner to ensure that you remain compliant and avoid costly fees.
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State Overview
Emergency vehicles are defined in the Wisconsin traffic law and emergency vehicle light statutes in section 340.01 to include the following:
● Police vehicles
● Firefighter vehicles
● Ambulance and EMT vehicles
● Vehicles operated by local authorities
And more.
Additionally, it’s important to explain the difference between emergency and warning lights. Emergency lights are exclusively used for emergency situations, by authorized emergency personnel, and on top of an authorized emergency vehicle. These typically are blue or red lights. Warning lights are typically used to alert motorists of a slow-moving vehicle, a vehicle with an oversized load, or a motor vehicle stopped by the side of the road. These are typically amber, white, or a different color.
Law Enforcement Statutes
Police and Sheriff Vehicles
The specific statutes in regards to law enforcement lighting equipment are explained in section 347.25 of the Wisconsin emergency vehicle light statutes. It says that both blue lights and red lights are allowed to be used, and they should be rotating or flashing. A strobe light setup can be leveraged to accomplish this effect on a police vehicle.
Contact Brooking so we may help you with the latest details for your state here.
Fire and EMT
Fire Truck and Fire Chief SUVs
According to section 347.25, fire trucks and fire chief SUVs are required to use both red and white lights and must be visible from a minimum of 500 feet during normal weather conditions. The use of these lights is limited to when responding to an emergency, not outside of that. In addition, it’s explained that a fire truck being used as a command post must be using a rotating or flashing blue or green light.
Volunteer Fire Fighter Vehicles
Volunteer firefighter vehicles also are considered authorized emergency vehicles. Therefore, they are required to use emergency lights like red and white, that are flashing and similar to the fire trucks and fire chief SUVs. These must be visible during the day, as well as night from a minimum of 500 feet in normal weather conditions. As with all authorized emergency vehicles, the Wisconsin emergency vehicle light statutes determine that these lights are only allowed to be used in emergency situations and not for personal use.
Ambulance & EMT Vehicles
Ambulance and EMT vehicles are authorized emergency vehicles and are therefore allowed the use of flashing red and white lights. They must be visible from a 500 feet distance in normal weather conditions, and can only be used when driving to or from an emergency. This is in accordance with section 347.25.
Contact Brooking so we may help you with the latest details for your state here.
Commercial and Amber Statutes
Security Vehicles
Security vehicles aren’t mentioned in the Wisconsin emergency vehicle light statutes. Contact WisDOT to learn more here.
Wreckers and Tow Trucks
According to Wisconsin emergency vehicle light statutes in section 347.25, tow trucks must be equipped with one strobe rotating amber light, or two flashing amber lights. If the tow truck vehicle owner opts for two flashing amber lights, one must be placed in the front, and another in the back. Both lights must be visible from 500 feet. In addition, a flashing red light must be used whenever standing on the side of the road. Otherwise, the red light must be turned off.
Tractors
Tractors are mentioned in section 347.22 of Wisconsin emergency vehicle light statutes. Tractors are only allowed to drive during the dark when they have lighted headlamps and tail lamps, as well as if they have a red light on in the rear of the tractor.
Utility Vehicles
In the Wisconsin emergency light vehicle statutes, public utility vehicles are identified and explained that they are required the use of two flashing amber lights. This is in accordance with section 347.25.
Construction Vehicles
Section 347.23 details that highway construction vehicles must operate with a red light that is visible from a minimum of 500 feet. Additionally, two amber floodlamps should be mounted to the vehicle as well and should be visible from 200 feet. A flashing amber light is necessary when operating at night on the left side of the highway.
Funeral Procession
In the event of a funeral procession, the lead motor vehicle must display a flashing amber light during the entire procession. This is mentioned in section 347.25.
Personal Use
Emergency Lights on Personal Vehicles
Emergency lights are permitted on personal vehicles of authorized emergency personnel when directed by the fire chief. However, if they are allowed, then these personal vehicles are only to turn their emergency lights on when driving to or from an emergency situation.
Summary
Special Permits
The only special permits mentioned in the Wisconsin emergency vehicle light statutes are those given by the fire chief. Beyond that, there is no mention of any particular permits. Contact WisDOT to learn more here.
