NCJ Number
63143
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
ELEMENTS OF TRAFFIC CONTROL, INTERSECTION CONTROL, DIRECTING TRAFFIC, AND SIGNALS, ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS TRAINING AID FOR POLICE OFFICERS; EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION METHODS ARE EMPHASIZED.
Abstract
TRAFFIC DIRECTION AND CONTROL IS REQUIRED WHENEVER THE PRESENCE OF AN OFFICER WOULD FACILITATE SAFE AND EFFICIENT TRAFFIC FLOW. TRAFFIC CONTROL IS MOST OFTEN INDICATED DURING RUSH HOURS IN CONGESTED BUSINESS DISTRICTS, IN EMERGENCIES, AND AT SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS PARADES AND SPORTS EVENTS. WHEN AN OFFICER DIRECTS TRAFFIC, HE SHOULD USE STANDARDIZED, APPROPRIATE GESTURES AND AUDIBLE SIGNALS TO STOP, START, AND TURN TRAFFIC. WHITE GLOVES, CROSS-BELTS, AND REFLECTORIZED VESTS ARE WORN PRIMARILY FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. SIGNAL AIDS WHICH MAY BE USED INCLUDE THE WHISTLE, THE ILLUMINATED BATON, AND A FLASHLIGHT. DIFFICULTY CAN ARISE WHEN THE OFFICER UNDERESTIMATES THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN EFFICIENT TRAFFIC CONTROL, NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION. HAND GESTURES AND ESTABLISHING EYE CONTACT WITH DRIVERS MUST BE UTILIZED BECAUSE VERBAL ORDERS ARE NOT EASILY HEARD OR UNDERSTOOD BY DRIVERS. WHEN CONTROLLING AN INTERSECTION, THE OFFICER SHOULD STAND AT THE CENTER OF TWO-WAY STREETS MEETING AT RIGHT ANGLES. THE POSITION WILL CHANGE FOR ONE-WAY STREETS, DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC FLOW. TO INDICATE THAT THE TRAFFIC SHOULD STOP, THE OFFICER SHOULD EXTEND HIS ARM STRAIGHT TOWARD THE PERSON OR PERSONS TO BE HALTED AND THEN RAISE HIS HAND AT THE WRIST SO THAT THE PALM FACES THEM. THE OFFICER SHOULD INDICATE THAT TRAFFIC SHOULD KEEP MOVING BY UNOBTRUSIVELY OBSERVING FLOWING VEHICLES WHILE KEEPING ATTENTION FOCUSED ON STOPPED VEHICLES. UNNECESSARY TRAFFIC CONTROL CAN SLOW TRAFFIC AND MAY EVEN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS. THE PERCEPTIVE OFFICER WILL DISCONTINUE DIRECTING EFFORTS WHEN HE DETERMINES THEY ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED. DIAGRAMS ILLUSTRATE THE TRAINING AID. (LWM)