Traffic Control and Direction UPDATED
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Safety equipment - CORRECT ANSWER - Patrol car, reflective clothing, flashlight,
whistle, other clothing, traffic control devices
Factors that impact officer positioning in roadway includes - CORRECT ANSWER --
weather
- time of day
- roadway type
- traffic volume and speed
- underlying circumstances (e.g., crash)
Parallel position - CORRECT ANSWER - Always position body parallel with moving
traffic with back and front sides of body facing stopped traffic.
Side position - CORRECT ANSWER - The side (or shoulder) position is less visible to
approaching motorists but provides officers with an escape route away from moving traffic. The
side position affords more officer safety and better pedestrian control.
Center Position - CORRECT ANSWER - center position in roadway or intersection
generally provides more visibility for all but is the most hazardous for officers. The center
position is used when traffic flow is congested, stop-and-go and moving much slower than
normal.
Facilitate traffic flow - CORRECT ANSWER - - The primary goal is keep traffic moving
even when it is not possible to establish a normal flow.
- Follow same right of way rules according to road.
- Use natural breaks in traffic flow to let vehicles turn, cross or enter roadway.
, - Establish a specific pattern or number of vehicles to process. For example, allow 20 vehicles
through from one direction before stopping and letting 20 vehicles from another direction
through.
Use arm hand and whistle signals to direct traffic - CORRECT ANSWER - - Make eye
contact with drivers before and while signaling.
- Only give one signal direction at a time.
- Never jump or move directly into the path of a moving vehicle with intent to stop.
Stopping traffic - CORRECT ANSWER - - Extend one or both arms out directly in front
of the body (parallel with road surface) with palm(s) facing motorists or pedestrians who need to
stop.
- Look directly at the driver/pedestrian and maintain hand position until he or she comes to a
complete stop
- When there are multiple lanes traveling in the same direction, make certain vehicles in BOTH
lanes are stopped
Whistle - CORRECT ANSWER - - Use 1 long and steady whistle blast simultaneously
with arm/hand positions to signal "Stop!" Do not blow whistle indiscriminately.
Lighted baton - CORRECT ANSWER - - To stop vehicles during night time or low
visibility conditions, use a lighted baton (or flashlight with attachment). Hold baton in right or
left hand (vertical position) in front of body with elbow bent. Swing or wave from the left to the
right side in a 45-degree arc in front of body.
- Do not shine flashlights into face or eyes of motorists as a method for gaining their attention
Starting traffic - CORRECT ANSWER - - Stop traffic in all directions first.
- Extend one arm out to side of body (parallel with road surface) with fingers pointed toward
driver or pedestrians who need to start.
- When attention is gained, turn palms up and repeatedly raise hand(s) perpendicular to road by
bending arm at elbow.
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Safety equipment - CORRECT ANSWER - Patrol car, reflective clothing, flashlight,
whistle, other clothing, traffic control devices
Factors that impact officer positioning in roadway includes - CORRECT ANSWER --
weather
- time of day
- roadway type
- traffic volume and speed
- underlying circumstances (e.g., crash)
Parallel position - CORRECT ANSWER - Always position body parallel with moving
traffic with back and front sides of body facing stopped traffic.
Side position - CORRECT ANSWER - The side (or shoulder) position is less visible to
approaching motorists but provides officers with an escape route away from moving traffic. The
side position affords more officer safety and better pedestrian control.
Center Position - CORRECT ANSWER - center position in roadway or intersection
generally provides more visibility for all but is the most hazardous for officers. The center
position is used when traffic flow is congested, stop-and-go and moving much slower than
normal.
Facilitate traffic flow - CORRECT ANSWER - - The primary goal is keep traffic moving
even when it is not possible to establish a normal flow.
- Follow same right of way rules according to road.
- Use natural breaks in traffic flow to let vehicles turn, cross or enter roadway.
, - Establish a specific pattern or number of vehicles to process. For example, allow 20 vehicles
through from one direction before stopping and letting 20 vehicles from another direction
through.
Use arm hand and whistle signals to direct traffic - CORRECT ANSWER - - Make eye
contact with drivers before and while signaling.
- Only give one signal direction at a time.
- Never jump or move directly into the path of a moving vehicle with intent to stop.
Stopping traffic - CORRECT ANSWER - - Extend one or both arms out directly in front
of the body (parallel with road surface) with palm(s) facing motorists or pedestrians who need to
stop.
- Look directly at the driver/pedestrian and maintain hand position until he or she comes to a
complete stop
- When there are multiple lanes traveling in the same direction, make certain vehicles in BOTH
lanes are stopped
Whistle - CORRECT ANSWER - - Use 1 long and steady whistle blast simultaneously
with arm/hand positions to signal "Stop!" Do not blow whistle indiscriminately.
Lighted baton - CORRECT ANSWER - - To stop vehicles during night time or low
visibility conditions, use a lighted baton (or flashlight with attachment). Hold baton in right or
left hand (vertical position) in front of body with elbow bent. Swing or wave from the left to the
right side in a 45-degree arc in front of body.
- Do not shine flashlights into face or eyes of motorists as a method for gaining their attention
Starting traffic - CORRECT ANSWER - - Stop traffic in all directions first.
- Extend one arm out to side of body (parallel with road surface) with fingers pointed toward
driver or pedestrians who need to start.
- When attention is gained, turn palms up and repeatedly raise hand(s) perpendicular to road by
bending arm at elbow.
