Traffic Control and Direction

Effective Traffic Control

• Wear high-visibility clothing, proper light (orange wand), and general clothing suitable for rain, cold, or hot weather
• Position yourself in the roadway to evaluate the intersection, with a command of full view of the intersection, which may require more than one officer
• Use clear signals and gestures, including:
  • Front and back of officer means STOP
  • Clear movement of arms for motorists to see and understand
  • Command presence and eye contact
  • Arm out, palm out (STOP)
• Use a whistle, which is a must, made of plastic, attached to coat or shirt with a chain, with:
  • One loud long blast for STOP
  • Two loud short blasts for GO (time to move)

Responsibilities of Traffic Direction

• Eliminate blocked intersections
• Assist turns
• Protect pedestrians
• Clear one lane for emergency vehicles

Electric Signal Box

• Yellow box on corner
• Try this before hand direction
• Switches:
  • On/off reset circuit breakers
• Flashers
• Auto to manual (hand button)

Emergency Traffic Control

• Use police vehicle and equipment to block intersection and detour traffic
• Channel traffic from greater lanes to lesser lanes
• Control freeway traffic:
  • Need high visibility
  • Related emergency equipment
  • Number of officers needed and where

Warning Devices

• Railroad type fuses (flares):
  • Most dangerous when igniting (strike away from body)
  • Do not need to be upright for visibility
  • Do not step on to put out
  • When finished, pick up and rub out in earth

Placing Warning Devices

• Start from behind the scene and work toward traffic
• Never turn your back on traffic
• Place devices 20-25 feet apart near the scene
• Gradually increase distance farther from the scene
• Consider speed of traffic for the number of flares used (e.g., 60mph = 90 ft/second)
• Place flares on curves to warn traffic approaching
• Place flares on hills before the crest