On-post rules for motorist, pedestrian safety

All state and federal regulations about cell phones, texting, seat-belt use, motorcycle safety, etc., apply at Fort McCoy. In some cases, federal regulations are more restrictive than state or local laws. A summary of regulations follows. Specific questions should be directed to the Directorate of Emergency Services at 608-388-2200.

Entrance
• All motorists and adult passengers in a vehicle must present valid photo identification to enter Fort McCoy.
• People and vehicles are subject to search upon entering and while on military property. Unauthorized entry is punishable by Paragraph 18 U.S. Code 1382.
• All motorists entering or operating a motor vehicle at Fort McCoy must be prepared to show proof of vehicle insurance and vehicle registration when requesting visitor passes or when asked to show such documentation by law-enforcement personnel.


Speed limits
• Paved roads within cantonment area: 30 mph unless posted otherwise.
• Range roads, training area roads and tank trails: 30 mph unless posted otherwise.
• Passing troops: 10 mph (NOTE: Any group of troops has the right-of-way over all vehicular traffic on all roads on the installation.)
• Pine View Campground: 10 mph or as posted.
• Family housing areas: 15 mph.
• Parking lots: 5 mph.

Cell phones
• Vehicle operators shall not use cell phones when the vehicle is moving, unless using a hands-free device (voice only, not texting).
• Drivers needing to use their cell phones are encouraged to pull into a legal parking spot or to the side of the road.
• Use/wear of any portable headphones, earphones or listening devices other than for hands-free cellular devices while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited.

Seat belts
• Seat belts are required for drivers and all passengers in vehicles at Fort McCoy. This is a primary-enforcement law in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.
• Children weighing 40 pounds or less must be restrained by an approved child safety seat.

Motorcycle training

Motorcycles
• All operators must be properly licensed.
• Military personnel operating a motorcycle on the installation must have proof of completing a National Motorcycle Safety Foundation motorcycle safety course.
• Operators and passengers must wear required clothing and safety equipment. This includes helmets, impact goggles or face shields, full-fingered gloves, long-legged pants, long-sleeved shirts, leather boots or shoes, a brightly colored upper outer garment during the day and a reflective upper outer garment at night. Military uniforms do not meet this criterion.

Bicycles
• Riders must wear approved bicycle helmets that meet safety performance standards established by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation for Bicycle Helmets.
• Reflective upper outer garment is required at all times when riding on the installation. The reflective physical training belt may be worn in lieu of a reflective upper garment.
• Wearing/using headphones, earphones or other listening devices while riding bicycles is prohibited.

Parking
• In marked parking lots, vehicles may not be parked straddling any white line(s).
• Vehicles may not block vehicle traffic movement into or through parking lots.
• Parking on grass or lawns is prohibited unless otherwise posted.
• Parking on road shoulders is prohibited unless otherwise posted. Exceptions are cell-phone usage, loading or unloading passengers or equipment (15-minute limit), or mechanical failure, in which case, the hood of the vehicle should be raised to indicate mechanical problems.

Pedestrian traffic
• Pedestrians generally have the right of way at controlled or marked crosswalks or intersections. Fort McCoy follows Wisconsin law.
• Pedestrians are encouraged to walk on sidewalks where available or facing traffic if walking on roadways.
• Use/wear of any portable headphones, earphones or other listening devices while walking or running is authorized only on the half-mile track, which is located along O Street and East Eaton Road.

Recreational Vehicles
• All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), three- or four-wheeled vehicles, are not authorized for use on the installation.
• Snowmobiles are authorized for use only on designated, open, state snowmobile trails.
 

(Source: Regulation 190-5 Installation Access Control and Traffic Code)