02 – CDI4 – WEEK 10 – LESSON PROPER

TRAFFIC DIRECTION
Traffic direction tells drivers and pedestrian where they may not move or stand at a particular place especially
during periods of congestion and or emergencies.
Officer ordinarily employed in traffic direction:
1. Answer inquiries, especially concerning local regulations and how to reach places or routes.
2. Tell drivers and pedestrians what to do or what not to do, especially when and how to move at an
intersection of streets whenever or wherever hazards or congestion make using the streets dangerous
or difficult and assume responsibility for all manual direction of vehicular traffic, even though such
direction is performed by others (Such as civilian school - crossing guards)
3. Make emergency rules for the flow of traffic when usual rules are inadequate or especial regulations
have not been set up to meet unusual or unexpected traffic conditions.
THREE (3) MAIN THINGS AN OFFICER WILL DO IN TRAFFIC DIRECTION
1. Answer inquiries, especially on local regulation
2. Expedite traffic flow
3. Make emergency rules for flows of traffic.
4. Directing Traffic requires special techniques and standardized signals and gesture
THE NEED FOR TRAFFIC DIRECTION
• Sometimes hours are required to untangle a "jam" and occasionally, a special event or in an
emergency a "jam" becomes too bad that drivers abandon their automobiles in the street. Imagine,
if you can, what would happen if there were no traffic enforcer to direct traffic. The result would often
be chaos, especially in cities. Drivers may enter intersection from which there is no exit. This, in turn,
may block traffic and in a short time, traffic is tight up.
• A traffic police officer stationed at an intersection will not allow drivers to get into situations that lead
to "jams" and will do all he can reduce "jamming" to a minimum. When you direct traffic, your activity
is an important part of the management of a state or city. Your job is to help move people and goods
safely and quickly. What you do at a certain intersection affects part of a great network of action. The
way you direct traffic is important. You come face to face with the citizens of the community more
often than other representative of your local government.
• Your department, too, is judged by your performance. You are inspected and appraised many times
every day that you are on duty, not only are your efficiency and conduct important, but your
appearance, too.
TRAFFIC OFFICERS HAVE OTHER DUTIES TOO
As an officer assigned to traffic direction must be ready to perform other traffic duties. In the event of an
accident at or near the place where you are directing traffic, you may do any of the things connected with the
investigating an accident, such as:
1. Take care of the injured 4. Have the street cleared of wrecks
2. Put out a fire 5. Take statement from drivers or witnesses
3. See that nothing is stolen 6. Protect the evidence, such as skid marks and cars
 02 – CDI4 – WEEK 10 – LESSON PROPER

Three General Groups of violations while directing traffic:

1. Traffic offenses which may be hazardous, but do not necessarily cause congestion, such as right- of-way
disputes, driving through red light or stop signs, or speed. You will often give verbal or written warnings or
issue traffic citations when these occur because:
• You should deter other drivers from committing these violations by taking such action.
• If ignored they might become so numerous that you have trouble directing traffic.
2. Traffic offenses which cause congestion but are not necessarily hazardous. These include turning and
stopping, standing were prohibited, illegal parking and others.
3. Violations which are not connected with traffic. You, as a policeman, must take immediate action in the
event of a serious crime such as murder, robbery, assault, etc. Sometimes you may be stationed at critical
points in cities to direct traffic specially where there are crowds. The main reason for your being there may
be to keep persons from committing crimes or to deal with any crimes committed in the vicinity.
In requesting for the driver's license and vehicle registration certificate, observe the following
suggested procedures:
a. Do not put your head or arms in the car window
b. While waiting for the license, asks the driver, "What is your name, Sir?"
c. Never accept anything other than papers requested.
d. Ask that the papers being requested be removed from the billfold or other container.
e. Have the driver hand the requested paper to you outside the window.
f. Establish the identity of the driver and check the entries of both license and registration papers for any
possible fraud, or false identities or falsification.
g. Do not return driver's license and vehicle registration until you are about to terminate the interview.

COMMON HAND GESTURES FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL

Figure 2 - Basic traffic control hand gestures

Source: [Link]
start-safety-tips-about-road-transport-10767002
 02 – CDI4 – WEEK 10 – LESSON PROPER

In terminating your contact with your violator observe the following:

• Explain to the driver what action must he take.
• Tell him where and when he must appear.
• Don't discuss probable bail or probable penalties with the violator.
• Avoid any naughty suggestion that he should engage in the services of a counsel for how he should
plead. When you are certain the driver understands what he should do, close the interview by:
• Thanking the driver for his cooperation.
• Explaining how he may avoid further difficulty.
• Help the drive get safely through the traffic.

TRAFFIC DIRECTION INCLUDES MANY THINGS

1 What a driver or pedestrian must or must not do at a particular time and place
2. Specific instructions about rules or laws with which the public is concerned, given in response
to question such as: "May make a left turn here?" or "May I park here for a moment?
4. General information, mostly about how to reach places, or routes, and answering questions such as “how
to get to Monumento?” or “where is the nearest food park here?”.
IN DIRECTING TRAFFIC, THERE ARE TWO BASIC OPERATIONS:
A. Directing vehicle movement, preventing and breaking up traffic jams.
B. Directing pedestrian movements, either alone or in connection with vehicle movements.
Traffic jam is caused by such factors as vehicular accident, stalled vehicle due engine trouble, absence of
traffic officer at an intersection, or road construction.
Cause of traffic congestion/jam
a. vehicular accident
b. stalled vehicle due to engine trouble
c. absence of traffic enforcer
d. road construction
Steps to be taken by traffic enforcer in case of traffic congestion/jam
a) determine the cause
b) conduct fast, immediate but complete investigation if caused by vehicle and remove it
c) if caused my mechanical trouble, assist the motorist to push the vehicle
d) conduct a systematic flow of traffic
e) observe the flow of traffic, if not refer to number one
f) implement proper traffic regulation
SIGNAL AND GESTURE
When you have to direct traffic, it is your job to tell people HOW, WHERE, and WHEN they may move in
vehicles or on foot. You must therefore pay attention to both vehicles and pedestrians and see to it that
they are given a chance to [Link] a guide, visit the link for a short tutorial of the basic traffic hand gesture
you need to know:

[Link]
 02 – CDI4 – WEEK 10 – LESSON PROPER

DIRECTNG TRAFFIC BY HAND

To start traffic, place yourself so that your side is towards traffic to be started. Point with arms and fingers
towards the vehicle you want to start. Hold it until you get their attention. And then, with your palm up, swing
your hand up and over to your chin. Bend your arm only at the elbow. If you get the attention of the driver
first by pointing, you won't have to make the signal a second time. After traffic has been started from one
side, drop that arm and start traffic from the other side in the same way. Use the same signals to give the go
ahead.
RIGHT TURN - signals for a right turn movement are not usually required at an intersection. When it is
necessary, the arm you signal will be determined by the vehicle’s direction. If it approaches from right, point
toward the driver with your right arm. Give the driver time to see your gesture and then swing your arm to
point in the direction he is going. Keep pointing in that direction until he begins to turn. If the vehicle
approaches you from the left, point with your arm. When the driver saw your point in the direction he is to go.
Because if your position you will not be able to make a complete swing with your arm. It you prefer and find
it more comfortable, bend your left arm at the elbow and with your forearm indicate the direction the driver is
to take.
LEFT TURN - in helping a driver make a left turn, you may first have to halt traffic in the lanes or lane through
which the turning vehicle must cross. If the vehicle is approaching from your left, give the stop the signal with
your right and then give the turning stop signal through which the turning driver is to pass. Hold the stop
signal with your right and then give the turning gesture with your left arm.
USING SEMAPHORE SIGNALS
Semaphore signals are not in general use, but some places still have them. If assigned to post where there
is one, make sure that you apply the procedures above in stopping, starting and turning movement. Make
sure also that the semaphore is properly painted and wordings are visible as well as readable. If traffic is
heavy, you will have to use whistle to warn of intended change.
TWO OFFICERS SIGNALLING
There is a need for more than one officer at a busy intersection or control point. One of the two officers must
originate all signals and gestures. In other words, one man is a leader and makes all decisions as to changes
in traffic flow. His companion assists him by helping to make those decisions known.
HAND CONTROL OF ELECTRIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL
• Hand control of automatic traffic signals is sometimes required.
• If the traffic light control box is located in a conspicuous place, take a position behind the box which
will advise drivers that they are to obey your direction and disregard the lights.
• Allow plenty of time between direction changes.
• Make sure that one movement is halted before the conflicting line of traffic is allowed to move.
• If it becomes necessary during a movement to supplement the traffic light signal by arm signal or
gestures, step away from the control box to complete this signal. In this way, driver can distinguish
this signal from that of the traffic light. When this maneuver is completed, return to your position at
the control box.