Saturday, October 15, is White Cane Safety Day in Wisconsin and nationwide. Since 1964, this national observance is celebrated annually on October 15. In honor of White Cane Safety Day, various groups throughout Wisconsin and the nation will be organizing events in their communities to bring safety awareness and its significance for people with vision loss or blindness.
White Cane Safety Day acknowledges the law that is enforced year-round and is based on the following statute: S. 346.26 WISCONSIN STATUTES Blind pedestrian on highway.
(1) An operator of a vehicle shall stop the vehicle before approaching closer than 10 feet to a pedestrian who is carrying a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white trimmed with red and which is held in an extended or raised position or who is using a service animal, as defined in s. 106.52(1)(fm), and shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid accident or injury to the pedestrian. The fact that the pedestrian may be violating any of the laws applicable to pedestrians does not relieve the operator of a vehicle from the duties imposed by this subsection.
Everyone--drivers as well as pedestrians--deserve to travel safely!