Upon the passage of Wisconsin Act 255, which authorized the use of fluorescent green warning lights on municipal vehicles, the Monroe County Highway Department has started to incorporate the green lights into its snowplow fleet.
Introduced in 2021, Act 255 was initiated by the Wisconsin County Highway Association. Among the legislative sponsors were Monroe County senators Howard Marklein (District 17, Spring Green) and Brad Pfaff (District 32, Onalaska).
According to the WCHA, “The new lighting options have proven to increase driver awareness significantly, creating a safer winter driving experience for the public, along with the safety of our operators clearing snow on roadways across the state”.
The use of fluorescent green lighting is limited by law to municipal vehicles only. Privately owned vehicles are not authorized to display green lighting.
“The public will begin to see these lights on many snowplows this winter season”, said Roland Hawk, Wood County Highway Commissioner and President of the WCHA. “We want to thank the legislature for its efforts in passing this important transportation safety legislation, which was created and supported by the WCHA.”
Hawk added, “These lighting options will help drivers distinguish between our operators attempting to clear public highways, roads and streets and the private sector plowing parking lots and driveways, creating a safer environment for all.”
The WCHA urged drivers to watch for the new green warning lights in combination with the traditional amber warning lights.
