Yesterday the Wisconsin Department of Transportation released a list of safety precautions aimed at preventing injury due to improperly attached trailers.

The safety bulletin follows as a response to the tragic April 20 trailer-truck accident wherein a University of Wisconsin-Green Bay student was fatally struck by a trailer after it came loose from a pickup truck as it passed her on U.S. 41.

“For safe towing on roadways, state law requires that the ball-and-hitch coupling assembly must match exactly and fit securely,” Wisconsin State Patrol Lt. Nick Scorcio said in the release.

He also urged that motorists to always use two chains of appropriate length to reinforce the towing connection.

Those in violation of the trailer laws may be fined up to $250 and receive two demerits on their driver’s license.