Wisconsin State Patrol to ride along with semi-trucks, targeting distracted driving
(WFRV) – The Wisconsin State Patrol (WSP) is bringing back a safety program to lessen the amount of crashes involving large vehicles that occur throughout the state.
WSP is partnering with the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association to bring back ‘Trooper in a Truck’ for the third year in a row.
‘Trooper in a Truck’ is a part of Operation Safe Driver Week, an initiative aimed at improving the driving behaviors of people across the nation. The WSP will have troopers riding along with semi-truck and bus drivers to enforce traffic laws during the initiative.
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“Drivers need to pay attention on the road, especially around large trucks and buses,” WSP Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “Commercial motor vehicles have large blind spots, limited maneuverability and require longer distances to stop. All motorists have to work together to prevent crashes.”
In the past five years, an average of roughly 7,000 crashes involving large trucks have occurred throughout Wisconsin every year. In 2023, 70 people died in Wisconsin in crashes that involved large trucks, according to a release.
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Drivers can expect to see ‘Trooper in a Truck’ enforcement in these areas:
July 8, 2024: Hudson
July 9, 2024: Waukesha
July 10, 2024: Madison
July 11, 2024: Green Bay
July 12, 2024: Wausau
The program also focuses on distracted driving. When officers identify a violation from a vehicle, they will radio a patrol car in the area to appropriately enforce action.
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