1. Chapter 5 Traffic: Policing in a Country on the Move1-

2. Introduction Citizens feel it is their right to drive vehicles
Citizens resent any limitations imposed on this “right”
More officer time is spent on traffic patrol than on any other police activity
Police traffic services (PTS) are divided into three major areas
Traffic direction and control
Traffic enforcement
Crash investigation
Learning Objective: What three functional areas police traffic services include. 1-

3. Traffic Direction and Control
PLANNED ASSIGNMENT
Requires great nonverbal skills
High visibility
The cruising problem
Favorite pastime
Prostitution
Drive-by shootings
© AP Images/Gregory Bull 1-

4. Traffic Enforcement A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY
Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR)
Helps solve crimes
Traffic violators and violations
Seat belt laws
Primary law states
“Click It or Ticket”
Cont.
Learning Objective: What the basic purposes of traffic enforcement are.
Learning Objective: Who is responsible for traffic enforcement. 1-

5. Traffic Enforcement A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY Speeding
Speeding in residential areas
Traffic calming
Curbing illegal street racing
Using decoy patrols
Speed enforcement technology
Cont.
Learning Objective: How the problem of speeding in residential areas can be addressed. 1-

6. Traffic Enforcement A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY Red-light runners
Tailgating
Aggressive driving and road rage
Rolling domestics
Driving under the Influence
Selective traffic enforcement
Enforcement index
Learning Objective: What the difference is between aggressive driving and road rage. 1-

7. The Traffic Stop EMOTIONAL ENCOUNTERS Officers have great discretion
Automated citations
E-ticket benefits
Pretext or dual motive stop
Racial profiling
Discriminatory enforcement
of the law
© AP Images/EricAlbrecht 1-

8. Recognizing and Stopping Drivers “Under the Influence”
DETERMINING SYMPTOMS
Slow or excessive speeds
Erratic starts and stops
Weaving or drifting
Failing to signal
Problems making turns
Repeated use of horn in traffic
Cont.
© AP Images/Darren Gibbins, Fargo Forum Newspaper
Learning Objective: What the number-one problem of traffic enforcement is. 1-

9. Recognizing and Stopping Drivers “Under the Influence”
DETERMINING SYMPTOMS
Field and chemical tests for DUI
Nystagmus
Blood-alcohol concentration (BAC)
Recognizing the driver under the influence of drugs
Implied consent
Videotaping drivers
Cont. 1-

10. Recognizing and Stopping Drivers “Under the Influence”
DETERMINING SYMPTOMS
Strategies to deter DUI
Education and awareness campaigns
Sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols
Drug checkpoints
Dealing with repeat drunk drivers
Legal liability
Learning Objective: What strategies are being used to deter DUI. 1-

11. Enforcement and Pursuit
PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF FLIGHT
The suspect initiates a pursuit
Foot pursuit
Adrenaline
Safety issues
Vehicle pursuit
Pursuit policies and data
Liability issues
Learning Objective: What balance must be maintained in an effective pursuit policy.
Learning Objective: What issues should be addressed in a pursuit policy. 1-

12. Traffic Enforcement and Transportation of Hazardous Materials
ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
Terminal audits
Shipper and other audits
Road enforcement
Technical assistance and enforcement training
Emergency response
Learning Objective: What a hazardous materials enforcement program should include. 1-

13. Crash Management and Investigation
LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN U.S.
Crashes involving pedestrians
Responding to a crash call
Crash investigation and
reconstruction
Fake “accidents”
Crash reports
Legal liability
Learning Objective: What the responsibilities of officers responding to a crash scene are.
© AP Images/Chuck Liddy 1-

14. Traffic and Community Policing
SERIOUS PROBLEM IN MANY COMMUNITIES
Citizens want to see police on the street
Safe Communities program
Promote community-based solutions
Address transportation safety
Addresses all injuries
Information and resources 1-

15. Traffic and Problem-Oriented Policing
SARA MODEL
Used to address high rate of fatal crashes
Scanning
Analysis
Response
Assessment 1-

16. An Area Traffic Officer (ATO) Program
INNOVATIVE PROGRAM
Identify and resolve traffic problems
Single point of contact
Increase monitoring of area of concern
Build close-knit relationships
Proactive long-term solutions
Increasing reliable two-way communication 1-

17. Summary
The two basic purposes of traffic enforcement are to control congestion and to reduce crashes
Enforcement can also detect criminal activity
Traffic enforcement is the responsibility of all officers
Aggressive driving is a traffic violation; road rage is a criminal offense
Dealing with motor vehicle crashes is another function of traffic services 1-