Traffic Control and Direction

Effective Traffic Control

• Proper clothing includes high visibility clothing, proper lighting (e.g., orange wand), and general clothing for different weather conditions (rain, cold, hot)
• Position in roadway: evaluate the intersection, command a full view of the intersection, and may require more than one officer

Signals and Gestures

• Signals: front and back of officer means STOP
• Gestures: clear movement of arms, eye contact is a must, arm out with palm out to indicate STOP
• Whistle: a must-have item, plastic is the best material, attach to coat or shirt, use one loud long blast for STOP and two loud short blasts for GO

Responsibilities of Traffic Direction

• Eliminate blocked intersections
• Assist turns
• Protect pedestrians
• Ensure clear lanes for emergency vehicles

Electric Signal Box

• Yellow box on corner
• Try hand direction before using the box
• Switches: on/off reset circuit breakers
• Flashers: automatic to manual (hand button)

Emergency Traffic Control

• Use police vehicle and equipment to block intersection and detour traffic
• Channeling traffic: move from greater lanes to lesser lanes
• Freeway traffic: high visibility, relevant emergency equipment, and number of officers needed and where

Warning Devices

• Railroad type fuses (flares): most dangerous when igniting (strike away from body)
• Flares do not need to be upright for visibility, do not step on them to put out, and rub out in earth when finished

Placing Warning Devices

• Start from behind the scene and work toward traffic
• Never turn your back on traffic
• Place flares 20-25 feet apart near the scene, gradually increasing distance farther from the scene
• Consider speed of traffic for the number of flares used (e.g., 60mph equals 90 ft./second)
• Curves: place flares to warn traffic approaching
• Hills: place flares before the crest