Wisconsin State Patrol troopers rode alongside professional drivers from July 13 through July 17 as part of the state’s sixth annual Trooper in a Truck campaign.
The enforcement and education effort placed troopers inside semi trucks and buses, where the higher seating position gave them a clearer view of traffic around commercial motor vehicles. The campaign was organized in partnership with the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association and took place on highways across the state.
Troopers Watched for High-Risk Driving Behaviors
From inside participating trucks and buses, troopers looked for violations that can increase crash risk around large commercial vehicles. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said the campaign focused on distracted driving, speeding, following too closely, and seat belt violations.
When a trooper observed a violation, the information was relayed to officers in nearby patrol vehicles. Those officers then made the traffic stop and handled any enforcement action.
The approach allowed law enforcement to observe driver behavior that may be difficult to see from a standard patrol vehicle, particularly when motorists were traveling beside or directly behind a truck.
Trucking Industry Partners Supported the Detail
The 2026 campaign marked the sixth year that the Wisconsin State Patrol and Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association worked together on Trooper in a Truck.
Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said the partnership supports a shared goal of preventing dangerous driving on state highways.
WMCA President Dan Johnson also credited the carriers and drivers who donated vehicles, equipment and time to support the campaign. According to Johnson, participating drivers have continued to support the program because of its focus on safer roads for both commercial drivers and the public.
Campaign Was Part of Operation Safe Driver Week
Wisconsin’s Trooper in a Truck detail was conducted during Operation Safe Driver Week, a nationwide enforcement and awareness initiative focused on unsafe behavior among passenger-vehicle and commercial drivers.
State troopers and inspectors regularly enforce traffic laws involving commercial motor vehicles, but the July campaign placed additional attention on motorists traveling near trucks and buses.
For professional drivers, the effort also highlighted the role commercial carriers can play in safety partnerships that address distracted driving, aggressive driving, and other behaviors that create added risk around large vehicles.
The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.
Last Updated: July 22, 2026
Source: The Trucker
Image Source: WSP
