©2011 James Russo
I have attempted to train quite a few rookies in safe traffic direction. There are many dangers in playing toreador to hundreds of two ton cars. I have a few tips.
First and foremost: Wear your reflective vest! Regardless if it is night or day. The darn thing is ANSI compliant for visibility and you are not.
Second, know clear hand signals. Hard to recreate here, but hand signals in daylight are much different than using that flashlight and cone in the darkness. Simple movements to direct the cars are best. Waving them forward, pointing toward turns, and holding out a hand or light for stop work best.
Next, you need your whistle. One long blow for stop. Two short chirps for go. This auditory addition to good hand signals is essential if you want to get their attention. And you do.
Make eye contact with drivers when possible. There is no clearer way to judge their intent than with seeing that they see you. Non-verbal cues can save your life. You can also watch the vehicle’s front tires. They are directional indicators.
Take a good position. When performing traffic control in a large intersection with turn lanes, stand in the debris field in the center of the intersection. That is where the cars don’t drive when traveling straight through or turning. Make this your happy place.
Do not stand behind your fully lit cruiser and wave a flashlight around in the dark. With a light bar, strobes, and standard illumination, your squad looks like a UFO. The drivers will not see you and your Maglite making Fourth of July sparkler motions out there.
If a driver is not following your instruction, do not aggressively walk toward them or block their path. They will undoubtedly win this game of chicken. You will just end up a two dimensional shape in the traffic crash diagram. Continue your attempts at communication from your happy place.
DO NOT TRUST THE DRIVING PUBLIC. They are unpredictable and can be easily confused by the chaos of an accident scene or emergency. This is especially true at night.
Two officers work better in a multilane intersection, if they are communicating well. One should be the primary and call the shots. This will minimize conflicting directions, which lead to paperwork.
Watch those larger vehicles. They take up more space in the roadway. I have literally had the side view mirror of a big truck brush my hair as it passed too closely. Yeow!
Traffic control is one our more dangerous daily jobs because we are so unprotected. Keep your head on a swivel, be paranoid, and use common sense. It can save your life.
Randall is a twenty-four year sworn police officer in Florida. He is his department’s K9 Sergeant and SWAT Team Coordinator.
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Very good stuff Randall! Also, I’m pretty sure that the new Federal Workman’s Comp. laws expressly state that if you’re not using your protective equipment (reflective vest, etc.) than if you are injured you’re benefits are automatically cut by 50%.
For that reason alone I’ll pull the bright yellow tent out and make sure our officers do too. Plus it’s a matter of policy.
Aaron
I was surprised when a traffic light went out recently and none of the officers who showed up knew any of this. They didn’t have a single functioning whistle among them. My blood pressure spiked as one nearly got hit. The Academy ain’t what it used to be!
Randall
Traffic control the lost art1 Great post and reminder for us older dogs and great resource for new officers.
Didn’t have a vest with me & went to help out in Joplin. After nearly getting hit by 2 news crews I went the next day to get one. Funny after I bought one I was assigned to patrol rather then traffic.
Fred,
Old dogs, heh, heh, heh.
Brian,
Glad you were able to help out in Joplin!
Thanks for the replies, guys.
Randall
Great article Randall! It still amazes me that some of the newer officers these days don’t think about these things while on duty. As for drivers paying attention, I’ve been almost hit on a few occasions by drivers that were distracted by either having there head in la-la land or just mesmerized by the presence of a walking chunky-monkey (me) in a bright orange vest. Keep up the great work!
I appreciate the feedback, Bryan A.
Ever feel like throwing your Maglite at a distracted driver’s car. I have. But I haven’t.
Randall
I had a Sergeant who was my mentor who kept a couple of flares in his sap pocket to throw at vehicles that went through his traffic control point either against his directions or recklessly. He switched to flares after he sent a Maglight through a back window and the driver kept driving and never returned. Flares are cheaper than flashlights!
Dead on Right! There have been too many close calls to mention for me. But the happy Place is the best way to describe that area. I’d never thought about it but I always look for that dirty area in the intersection to put myself. You’re right, only the NUTs drive in the happy place. Swivelhead is right.
Be safe folks.
LMAO Randall. I just saw your last comment. I have broken taillights and headlights on many a car. Never had anyone come back to discuss the matter. Been lucky I guess.
John Collins,
I work Mids, so the problems of darkness and DUI definitely make the Happy Place smaller! Too bad we can’t dig a foxhole in the asphalt, though I may suggest that with a straight face to a rook tonight, just to see the reaction.
Randall