Frequently Asked Questions

Question:	What is Wisconsin Law or requirements for vehicle window tint?
Answer:	This is according to Trans 305.32 relating to vent, side and rear windows. Trans 305.32(1)Trans 305.32(4)(4) Trans 305.32(4)(a)(b) Tinting of the vent and front side windows is permitted as follows: 1. The windows are tinted by the manufacturer of the glazing and are installed as part of the original manufacturing process. 2. The windows are tinted by the application of tinting film to the inside of the glazing provided that the combination of the glazing and tinting film permits passage through the windows of at least 50% of the visible light striking the windows. Tinting films permitted under this subdivision may not be reflective. 3. The windows are tinted, upon the recommendation of a physician or a Christian Science practitioner treating the owner, or an immediate family member of the owner of the vehicle, by the application of tinting film to the inside of the glazing provided that the combination of the glazing and tinting film permits passage through the windows of at least 35% of the visible light striking the windows. Tinting films permitted under this subdivision may not be reflective. A written statement from the treating physician or Christian Science practitioner which identifies the patient, the medical condition justifying the recommendation, whether the condition is temporary or permanent and the vehicle to which the recommendation applies, including the make, model, year and vehicle identification number, shall be carried in the vehicle at all times. Tinting film applied under this subparagraph shall be removed when a vehicle covered by the recommendation is sold, when the person for whom a recommendation was made no longer resides in the household of the owner of the vehicle or when the duration of a temporary condition which is the basis for a recommendation has expired. (5) (b) Tinting of the rear window is permitted as follows: 1. The window is tinted by the manufacturer of the glazing and is installed as part of the original manufacturing process. 2. The window is tinted by the application of tinting film to the inside of the glazing provided that the combination of the glazing and tinting film permits passage through the window of at least 35% of the visible light striking the window. The tinting films permitted under this subdivision may not be reflective. 3. If a rear window does not transmit at least 60% of the visible light striking the window, the vehicle shall be equipped with an outside rearview mirror on the left and right side of the driver's compartment. (6) Tinting of rear side windows is permitted as follows: (a) The windows are tinted by the manufacturer of the glazing and are installed as part of the original manufacturing process. (b) The windows are tinted by the application of tinting film to the inside of the glazing provided that the combination of the glazing and tinting film permits passage through the windows of at least 35% of the visible light striking the window. The tinting films permitted under this subdivision may not be reflective. (7) When measuring total light transmittance under subs. (4) (b), (5) (b) and (6), law enforcement officers shall allow a tolerance of 3%.


Question:	What do I do when I see a school bus with the warning lights activated?
Answer:	The operator of a vehicle which approaches from the front or rear any school bus which has stopped on a street or highway when the bus is equipped according to s. 347.25 (2) and when it is displaying flashing red warning lights, shall stop the vehicle not less than 20 feet from the bus and shall remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the operator extinguishes the flashing red warning lights. The operator of any school bus which approaches from the front or rear any school bus which has stopped and is displaying flashing red warning lights shall display its flashing red lights while stopped. This subsection does not apply to operators of vehicles proceeding in the opposite direction on a divided highway. The stop sign of the bus does not need to be extended. Passing the bus with flashing red lights on may result in a citation.


Question:	What information should I get from the other driver(s) if I am involved in an accident?
Answer:	Always try to get their plates right away in case they decide to flee. Then, request the drivers' names, addresses, phone numbers and insurance company information including the company's name, agent, and phone number.


Question:	When must an accident be reported?
Answer:	If an accident meets any of the following three criteria, it is a "reportable accident" and the MV4000 (accident report) must be completed by the investigating agency. 1. Injury or fatality of a person. 2. Total damage to one person's property to an apparent extent of $1,000 or more. 3. Damage to government owned property to an apparent extent of $200 or more, except government owned vehicles, which are $1,000.


Question:	I saw a Police car with it's emergency lights on and/or using its siren driving down the road, when it suddenly turned them all off and drove normally, why?
Answer:	Police are authorized to use their emergency lights and/or siren when responding to certain situations that justify an emergency or expedited response such as medical emergencies, intrusion alarms or crimes in progress calls. If an officer is advised while they are in route to the call that there is no longer an emergency situation they are obligated to turn off their emergency equipment.


Question:	Do drivers have to yield to pedestrians?
Answer:	According to state law, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians: - Who have started crossing an intersection or crosswalk on a walk signal or on a green light if there's no walk signal. - Who are crossing the road within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection where there are no traffic lights or control signals. - When a vehicle is crossing a sidewalk or entering an alley or driveway. - In addition, drivers may not legally overtake and pass any vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians at an intersection or crosswalk. Drivers who fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians who are legally crossing roadways may be issued citations that cost approximately $160 to $217 (depending on the type of violation) along with four demerit points assessed on their license. A citation for passing a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians costs $312 with three demerit points.


Question:	What do I do when I see a Police car or emergency vehicle with its lights and/or siren on?
Answer:	You must yield the right-of-way to police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances or other emergency vehicles using a siren, air horn or a red or blue flashing light. Pull over to the right edge of the road or as near to the right as possible and stop when you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction. Follow any instructions given over the emergency vehicle’s loudspeaker. If you are in an intersection, drive through the intersection before you pull over. If the emergency vehicle using lights or siren is on the other side of a divided highway, you do not need to pull over and stop. You must not pass an emergency vehicle that is about to back into, or is backing into, the driveway entrance of a fire station. It is illegal to pass or follow within 500 feet of a moving emergency vehicle with its red or blue lights on and siren operating. This includes while driving on freeways or other limited access highways. When approaching law enforcement and other emergency vehicles, tow trucks, road machinery or highway construction or maintenance vehicles (that are stopped on or near a highway and are using flashing emergency lights), you must move into a lane not nearest the stopped vehicle and travel in that lane until you have gone by the stopped vehicle(s). If it is unsafe to move into another lane, slow down until you have passed the stopped vehicle(s).


Question:	How long can a car park on the street without being moved?
Answer:	In the City of Tomah, a legally parked vehicle can remain there for 24 hours without being moved or cited.


Question:	Will the City of Tomah tow abandoned vehicles off of private property?
Answer:	No, but we will issue a citation if the situation deems appropriate.


Question:	What are the curfew hours in the City of Tomah?
Answer:	According to City ordinance, any juvenile under age seventeen (17) shall not be in a public place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by his or her parent or legal guardian. This is effective all days of the week.


Question:	Can I get my fingerprints taken at the City of Tomah Police Department?
Answer:	Yes, however, fingerprints are only available to be taken Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00 am to 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This is based on Officer ability and other calls for service. There is also a fee for fingerprinting. The fee is $10.00 for City of Tomah residents and $15.00 for non-residents. Photo identification is also required.


Question:	How do I pay for a ticket?
Answer:	* You can pay your traffic or municipal ordinance citation by mailing it to: City of Tomah Municipal Court, 819 Superior Avenue, Tomah, WI 54660. You may also stop in to the City Hall and pay for your traffic or municipal citation in person. * Parking tickets can be paid for at the Tomah Police Department during normal business hours. (Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 8:30 pm)


Question:	How do I get an Accident report or other police report?
Answer:	You may obtain an accident report or other police reports by requesting in writing or in person during normal business hours, and completing a records request form. The person requesting the report, will need to complete the open records request, which is available on the website under forms or at the Tomah Police Department. There is a $5.00 prepayment fee that is required at the time the request is submitted. Prepayment is required, unless the subject is the victim of the crime. Records are not sent out until payment is received. Further, when a subject submits a Public Record Request, it may take up to 5 BUSINESS days to process the request. Requested information is then mailed to the address supplied on the records request form.


Question:	How long do I have to clear my sidewalk of recent snow?
Answer:	The city ordinance states the following: (a) Owner's responsibility. The owner or occupant of any lot or parcel shall promptly each day, and in no event later than 48 hours after any snowstorm, remove all snow and ice which may have fallen or accumulated upon the sidewalk in front of such lot or parcel; provided, when ice has so formed that it cannot be removed, the owner or occupant shall keep the same sprinkled with a material which will prevent the sidewalk from being dangerous to pedestrians. This provision does not apply to the owner or occupant of any sidewalk 25 feet or more away from the respective property line of the owner or occupant. For violations, please contact the Tomah Building Inspector at (608) 374-7429


Question:	Can I plow or push my snow into the street or alley?
Answer:	The city ordinance states the following: (1) No person shall deposit or cause to be deposited any snow or ice taken and removed from his premises or elsewhere upon any sidewalk, alley, parkway, public place or street in the city, except snow removed from sidewalk areas where there are no boulevards or terraces. Snow shall not be piled at or near intersections so as to obstruct the view of pedestrians or operators of motor vehicles. (2) No person shall remove or deposit any snow from building rooftops into a public alley, except by specific permission of the director of public works, and if such permission is granted, the deposited snow must be moved from the alley within a reasonable length of time to be designated by the director of public works at the time permission is granted. For violations, please contact the Tomah Building Inspector at (608) 374-7429


Question:	How can I get a copy of my driving record?
Answer:	The City of Tomah Police will not provide you with a copy of your driving record or advise you what your driving record reveals. You may obtain a copy from the WI Department of Transportation. Please go to the WI DOT website for more information. http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/enforce/other.htm


Question:	How can I get a copy of my criminal history?
Answer:	The City of Tomah Police will provide you with a contact history for OUR agency; this is not a criminal history. You may obtain your WI Criminal History from the following website. https://wi-recordcheck.org/cc/html/index.html

Law of the Month:

Crosswalk Safety / Laws

Drivers must:

Yield to pedestrians when crossing a sidewalk or entering an alley or driveway
Yield to pedestrians who have started crossing at an intersection or crosswalk on a “walk” signal or a green light, if there is no walk signal
Yield to pedestrians who are crossing the highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection where there are no traffic lights or control signals
Not overtake and pass any vehicle that stops at an intersection or crosswalk to permit a pedestrian or bicyclist to cross the roadway safely

Pedestrians must:

Yield to drivers when crossing a road where there is no intersection or crosswalk or where the pedestrian does not have a green or “walk” signal and where vehicles have a green signal
Not suddenly move into the path of a closely approaching vehicle that does not have sufficient time to yield for a pedestrian
Walk on and along the left side of a highway when not walking on a sidewalk. Note: This law does not apply to bicycles. Bicycles operate under the same laws as other legal vehicles on the road and should always stay on the right side of the road.