EDGEFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Subject
Traffic Direction and Control
Date
04-22-08
Applicable Standard(s)
CALEA 61.3.1, 61.3.2, 61.3.3, 61.3.5
Amends
Section No.
600.3
Page No.
3
No. Pages in Section
1
Rescinds
Re-evaluation Date
I. Purpose
To provide general guidelines on Agency activities which directly affect the movement and
control of vehicles and pedestrians.
II. Policy
Activities involving the Agency, which influence the movement of vehicles and pedestrians
are always of a serious nature. These activities include point traffic control, traffic
engineering related projects, school-crossing supervision and traffic escort services. It is the
policy of the Agency to be prepared for such activities, and where appropriate, have standing
procedures in place to handle specific situations
III. Definition
Traffic Engineering - The designing of streets and systems which control and regulate
traffic.
IV. Procedures
A. Traffic Engineering
1. Citizen complaints and suggestions, along with deputies involved in patrol
and traffic collision investigation activities, may lead to the discovery of traffic
engineering deficiencies. All such information should be relayed to the South
Carolina Department of Transportation in a timely manner.
2. In such cases, personnel shall relay the information to the Communications
Section, which will contact SCDOT. Communications personnel will describe in
writing deficiencies in agency radio logs.
B. Traffic Direction and Control Procedures
1. Reflective Clothing
All personnel engaged in directing traffic, or in the roadway controlling traffic
shall wear some type of reflective clothing at all times. The use of a reflective
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Subject
Traffic Direction and Control
Date
Section No.
600.3
Page No.
2
vest, reversible reflective jacket or reflective bunker coat is an example of
reflective clothing which meet this requirement.
2. Uniform Hand Signals for Manual Traffic Direction
All personnel, including Reserves, who may be engaged in manual traffic control
shall receive training in uniform hand signals and gestures prior to assignment of
any such activities.
3. Traffic Collisions
Traffic direction and control at a traffic collision scene is the responsibility of the
incident commander or the officer assigned to that call for service. Reasonable
steps should be taken to ensure that the scene is protected and that temporary
detours of traffic are effectively conducted. The use of traffic cones, barricades or
requests for additional deputies to assist in traffic control are at the discretion and
availability of the incident commander or the assigned officer.
4. Fire Scenes
Traffic direction and control at fire scenes requires communication between the
incident commander and those deputies assigned to patrol. To prevent the driving
over of fire hoses, the blocking of emergency vehicle access and the entering of a
dangerous incident scene, vehicles not responding to the fire scene should be
routed away from the immediate vicinity. As soon as possible, a traffic control
point should be set up away from the fire scene to detour non-emergency traffic.
Parked vehicles, which interfere with fire ground operations, may be ordered to be
moved or towed, when necessary.
5. Adverse Road and Weather Conditions
Adverse driving conditions may be caused by various situations including downed
power lines and trees, fog, ice, heavy rain or snow. When deputies become aware
of such conditions, they should notify the communications center and, when
necessary, request the assistance of utility work crews in accordance with Agency
Policy 607 - Emergency Notifications. Deputies should take reasonable steps to
warn oncoming motorists and pedestrians of particularly hazardous situations until
the hazard has been removed or temporary barricades can be set up. Deputies may
provide on-scene traffic direction as necessary.
7.
Temporary Traffic Control Devices
a. Temporary traffic control devices may be used in pre-scheduled special
events, such as but not limited to parades or marches, emergency situations,
and/or any other traffic hazard which may be reduced by the use of such
devices.
b. Temporary traffic control devices include, but are not limited to, the use of
traffic cones and barricades.
c. Deputies should ensure that the Communications Center is informed of the
location and times that such devices will be used.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Subject
Traffic Direction and Control
Date
Section No.
600.3
Page No.
3
C. Escort Services
1. Bank and Business Escorts
ECSO will escort representatives of area banks and businesses moving large sums
of money upon request and based on availability of deputies. Deputies conducting
such escorts should notify the communications center of the assignment initiation
and completion.
2. Medical Emergencies
a. ECSO will not escort civilian vehicles in medical emergencies.
3. Other Escorts
a. Deputies are authorized to use ECSO vehicles and emergency equipment to escort:
(1) Funerals;
(2) Public Officials;
(3) Dignitaries;
(4) Oversized vehicles and structures;
(5) Hazardous or unusual cargo; or
(6) Other escorts as sanctioned by the Sheriff.
__________________________
Adell Dobey, Sheriff
IV. Documentation