A new law has been passed to address a safety issue concerning large vehicles and roundabouts in Wisconsin.
Due to their massive size and weight, semis and large trucks pose a serious risk when turning in roundabouts as they cannot be maneuvered like smaller vehicles. These dangerous turns have caused crashes among larger vehicles and nearby traffic. An accident between an 80,000 pound truck and a small car can be a deadly one.
According to NBC 26 News, the new legislation gives priority to drivers of semis and trucks over 40′. It allows semis the right of way, forcing smaller vehicles to yield while in or entering a roundabout. Wisconsin Act 139 also permits freedom for semis and large trucks to take up additional lanes while negotiating difficult roundabout turns.
You might be asking, “What happens if two semis enter the roundabout at the same time?” Wisconsin’s new law states that the truck on the right must yield as the left lane has the right-of-way.
With this new law, Wisconsin aims to improve safety among all drivers.