In July, Wisconsin State Patrol troopers are enhancing their efforts to spot risky driving behaviors by collaborating with the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association. Throughout this period, troopers will accompany semi-truck and bus drivers to enforce traffic laws from a higher vantage point as part of the annual “Trooper in a Truck” safety campaign.
Program Overview
The primary goal of this initiative is to minimize crashes and injuries involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). From July 8 to July 12, troopers will be actively monitoring highways across the state to detect and prevent dangerous driving behaviors.
Enforcement Schedule
Drivers should be aware of increased patrols in the following areas:
- July 8: Hudson
- July 9: Waukesha
- July 10: Madison
- July 11: Green Bay
- July 12: Wausau
During these dates, officers will be especially vigilant for any unsafe driving near CMVs.
“Drivers need to pay attention on the road, especially around large trucks and buses,” said Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan. “Commercial motor vehicles have large blind spots, limited maneuverability and require longer distances to stop. All motorists have to work together to prevent crashes.”
Traffic Safety Concerns
Over the past five years, Wisconsin has seen an average of about 7,000 crashes annually involving large trucks. In 2023 alone, these incidents resulted in 70 fatalities. Distracted driving is a significant factor in many of these crashes and remains a growing concern in the state.
Focus on Distracted Driving
The “Trooper in a Truck” program aims to curb distracted driving. When a trooper identifies a traffic violation from their elevated position, they will communicate with nearby patrol cars to take appropriate enforcement actions. They will also monitor for other hazardous driving behaviors such as speeding, reckless driving, and tailgating.
“This is the third year we are teaming up with the Wisconsin State Patrol to prevent dangerous driving through the Trooper in a Truck program,” said Kim Conradt, Safety Programs Coordinator for the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association. “We’re grateful for the wonderful partnerships that make this initiative successful.”
Source: Truckers News
