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Plain Talk Articles

Police Plain Talk articles are points of interest and safety to the community. The weekly Plain Talk article will be posted right here along with the previous 2 articles. Come back weekly to view the newest article.

February 4, 2012

Department of Transportation (DOT)
Updated Information

Marshfield DOT office: Located at 503 South Cherry Avenue is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Marshfield office is not considered to be full service, and all public phone calls are directed to Madison and/or Milwaukee centers.

Wisconsin Road Report (road construction, detours, and weather conditions): Dial 511 or visit the DOT website: http://www.dot.state.wi.us/

Motor vehicle registration forms (printed MV1 forms no longer available): These forms can be found on-line: http://www.dot.state.wi.us/

Temporary plates: Can be obtained at the car dealership you purchased the vehicle from as well as Badgerland Auto Sales at 2407 West Veterans Parkway. Jensen Motors in Spencer does issue passenger car/truck plates upon completion of paperwork and payment. Please call them for their hours of operation.

Motor vehicle license renewals: Can be obtained at Baltus Bread & Butter located at 539 South Central Avenue, Festival Foods at 1613 North Central Avenue, the Holiday Gas Station at 10492 State Highway 13, Marshfield and Wheelers of Marshfield at 2701 South Maple Avenue. Otherwise you can call and have the renewal charged to your credit card for immediate updating—1-800-236-RENU (7368) or on-line credit card renewal at http://www.dot.state.wi.us/

January 28, 2012
Night Driving

Here are some reminders for nighttime driving:

• Adjust your rearview mirror to the “night” setting to avoid headlight glare.
• Make sure your headlights and taillights are clear of snow and slush.
• Make sure your windshield and back windows are clear and free of snow, ice, and frost.
• Don’t drive at unsafe speeds, especially on unlit or winding roads and when using low beams.
• Be aware of oncoming traffic when using high beams.

Take a few minutes to check your vehicle, slow down and be safe.

January 21, 2012
Passing Snowplows and Emergency Vehicles

There are no state laws that prohibit you from passing a snowplow. However, it is illegal (state statute 346.915) to follow a snowplow closer than 200 feet upon any highway having the posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour if the snowplow is engaged in snow and ice removal. This does not apply when overtaking and passing a snowplow. But if the operator of any vehicle upon a highway, having a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour, follows the snowplow more closely than 200 feet for one mile or more or follows more closely than 200 feet when the snowplow is moving at the maximum speed limit of the roadway, this is convincing and legal evidence that the operator of such following vehicle is violating this law.

The majority of crashes involving snowplows and vehicles happen when a snowplow is rear ended or hit while being passed. Snow plows have wing plow blades that can extend anywhere between two and ten feet beyond the width of the truck. This wing plow blade is often not seen because of the snow cloud being kicked up by the snowplow. These wing plows can often weigh as much as a compact car.

There are three safety rules that are worth following:

• Give snowplows plenty of room to work. They are big and hard to see around.
• Don’t pass a working snowplow—they can throw up a cloud of snow that could cause a whiteout and disorient you.
• Also, it is tough for snowplow drivers to see you. Don’t crowd the plow. Make sure when behind a plow that you can see the driver’s mirrors so he can see you. Remember, it is the law that you stay at least 200 feet behind a working snowplow.

One of the major hazards emergency workers and road crews face is being struck by passing motorists while the workers are performing their duties, and their emergency vehicle/machinery is parked with its flashing lights activated.

Wisconsin law states that the operator of any vehicle which approaches an emergency vehicle, such as a police squad, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck, or road machinery must do one of the following:

• Move into another lane if the roadway has at least two lanes, or
• speed until completely past the vehicle or machinery if there is only one lane or if it is unsafe to change lanes.

You can keep emergency workers and road crews safe by reducing speed and allowing as much room as possible as you pass.

For a state-wide road report call 1-800 ROADWIS (762-3947) or check the internet site www.dot.state.wi.us