Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association: Teams up with the Wisconsin State Patrol for the “Troopers in a Truck” campaign

Madison, WI – A growing number of law enforcement agencies are realizing that if you really want to see what car drivers are up to, you need to hop into the cab of a semi-truck.  The Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association and the Wisconsin State Patrol have worked together for many years off the road but this year they are stepping up their game on the road.

Next Week, troopers with the Wisconsin State Patrol will team up with truck drivers to conduct a “Trooper in a Truck” high visibility enforcement effort intended to help police spot dangerous driving violations near semi-trucks. Though troopers are mainly focusing on distracted driving, they are also on the lookout for other dangerous driving behaviors like seatbelt violations.

A growing number of law enforcement agencies are turning to similar enforcement efforts because the high vantage point offered by a truck allows them to spot violations like texting behind the wheel that they might not be able to see from their cruisers.  The raised viewing location allows officers to easily spot drivers using a mobile phone without a handsfree device. Once officers have located a distracted driver, they will call for another unit to make the enforcement stop.

Similar operations have taken place in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, New Hampshire, and Illinois. Tennessee troopers even have their own custom Peterbilt that they use in distracted driving details. The Florida Highway Patrol have a custom semi-truck that they use for various enforcement activities.

This is the first year the Wisconsin State Police will conduct “Trooper in a Truck” details.  Thank you, Wisconsin State Police, for everything you do to keep us safe!

The “Trooper in a Truck” program is conducted in partnership with the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association.

Trooper in a Truck Schedule:

*Detail between 8:30am and 12pm*

Monday, July 11 – Waukesha DSP Post

Tuesday, July 12 – Eau Claire DSP Post

Wednesday, July 13 – Deforest DSP Post

DeForest, WI 53532-1971

Thursday, July 14 – DTSD Green Bay

Green Bay, WI 54304-5344

Friday, July 15 – Wausau DSP Post

Wausau, WI 54401-7172