2011 Wisconsin Code
Chapter 349. Vehicles--powers of state and local authorities.
349.065 Uniform traffic control devices.

349.065

349.065 Uniform traffic control devices. Local authorities shall place and maintain traffic control devices upon highways under their jurisdiction to regulate, warn, guide or inform traffic. The design, installation and operation or use of new traffic control devices placed and maintained by local authorities after the adoption of the uniform traffic control devices manual under s. 84.02 (4) (e) shall conform to the manual. After January 1, 1977, all traffic control devices placed and maintained by local authorities shall conform to the manual.

349.065 - ANNOT.

History: 1973 c. 185.

349.065 - ANNOT.

The decision to erect a stop sign, once made, carries with it the responsibility to ensure that the sign is properly installed and maintained to ensure that it remains visible to the motorists whose conduct the sign was intended to control. A local government that erects a stop sign should not be shielded on public policy grounds from liability when a tree obscures the stop sign. Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation v. Midwest Mutual Insurance Co. 2001 WI App 148, 246 Wis. 2d 933, 632 N.W.2d 59, 00-1836. Affirmed, 2002 WI 80, 254 Wis. 2d 77, 646 N.W.2d 777, 00-1836.

349.065 - ANNOT.

That the county erected a stop sign at the intersection of town and county highways, within the town right-of-way did not preclude possible liability in the town or the adjacent landowner for an accident resulting from the sign being obscured by a tree. Both units of government and the landowner had a duty to correct the hazardous condition created by the tree. Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation v. Midwest Mutual Insurance Co. 2001 WI App 148, 246 Wis. 2d 933, 632 N.W.2d 59, 00-1836. Affirmed, 2002 WI 80, 254 Wis. 2d 77, 646 N.W.2d 777, 00-1836.