Traffic stops, deer and emergency vehicles in roundabouts

Key points

1. When you see emergency lights flashing behind you, pull off to the right side of the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “Pull off to the right-hand side of the road when you see emergency lights flashing”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 42

2. Put the car in park, turn off the engine and radio, stay inside with your seatbelt on.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Put your vehicle in park, turn off your car and radio Stay in your vehicle and keep your seatbelt on”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 43

3. Keep your hands on top of the steering wheel in plain sight.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Put your hands on the top of the steering wheel in plain sight”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 43

4. Deer are most active from sunset to sunrise. Watch for your headlights reflecting in their eyes.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Deer are the most active in the sunset to sunrise hours. Scan the road and watch for the reflection of your headlights in the eyes of deer.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 43

5. If you see a deer's eyes, slow down, use your horn and be ready to stop. Watch for more than one.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “If you see their eyes, slow down. Use your horn and be ready to stop. Watch for more than one deer.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 43

6. If you hit a deer, call the police so they can issue a tag for it.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Call the police so they can issue a tag for the deer.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 43

7. If an emergency vehicle with its siren enters a roundabout before you do, pull over and let it pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “If you have not entered the roundabout, pull over and allow emergency vehicles to pass.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 39

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Wisconsin practice test

1. 1. During a Wisconsin traffic stop, where should the driver place their hands?

   1. Inside a bag to find documents immediately
   2. On top of the steering wheel in plain sight
   3. Below the seat until the officer arrives
   4. On the radio controls
   Show answer

   On top of the steering wheel in plain sight. Wisconsin's traffic stop guidance tells drivers to keep their hands on top of the steering wheel in plain sight. Reaching into a bag, under a seat, or toward controls can look sudden and unsafe during the stop. Documents can wait until the officer gives directions. The handbook also says to park, turn off the car and radio, stay in the vehicle, and avoid sudden movements. The cue is emergency lights behind you: pull right, stop, then make your hands visible.

2. 2. When are deer most active according to the Wisconsin handbook?

   1. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
   2. Only at noon on sunny days
   3. Only during heavy snow
   4. From sunset to sunrise
   Show answer

   From sunset to sunrise. The handbook warns that deer activity is highest from sunset to sunrise, when judging distance and speed is already harder. Midday sunshine is not the danger window described, and heavy snow is a weather hazard rather than the time pattern for deer. A fixed 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. period reverses the low-light risk. At dusk, overnight, and early morning, scan shoulders and fields, look for reflected eyes, slow down, and be ready to stop.

3. 3. An emergency vehicle with its siren on enters a Wisconsin roundabout while you are waiting outside. What should you do?

   1. Stop at the roundabout center island
   2. Enter first so the emergency vehicle can follow
   3. Pull over and allow it to pass before entering
   4. Sound the horn and continue into the circle
   Show answer

   Pull over and allow it to pass before entering. Roundabout entry must wait when an emergency vehicle with its siren on is using the circle. A driver who has not entered should pull over and allow it to pass. Entering first would place the ordinary vehicle in the emergency vehicle's path, while stopping in the circle can obstruct traffic. A horn does not replace yielding. If already inside, the handbook directs the driver to safely exit at the next right and then pull over. The key distinction is whether entry has happened yet.

Source: the Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Section 6: Driving Situations. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.