Topic: TRAFFIC SUPERVISION (CONTINUATION)

Traffic Law Enforcement (Continuation...)

A. Decision Enforcement -In determining what enforcement action to be taken, whether you arrest, cite,or warn the
apprehended violator, consider the following.
(1) Degree of the violation,
(2) Accuracy of observation,
(3) Traffic and weather condition,
(4) Evidence gathered,
(5) Whether a new law or not. and
(6) Continuous or momentary actions, a factor in some type of violations.

B. Pursuit in Traffic Enforcement. Pursuit is a part of routine enforcement activity performed by police and is used when
a violating driver is detected.
1. When to pursue? When a violator fails to stop on a signal, your normal reaction is to pursue the violator until
you apprehend him. However, due to traffic congestion or other complications, such action is sometimes neither
practical nor safe in pursuing, observe the following;
A. The pursuit must always tamper with common sense and foresight of like hazards.
B. Better judgment is used in deciding to lose a traffic violator who can be apprehended at another time
than giving great risk to yourself, your vehicle, and other drivers.
C. Pursuant requiring the high-speed operation of police vehicle may be justified in certain circumstances
such as in the apprehension of a driver endangering the lives of motorists, pedestrians, and others
through an operation which can be classified as other than reasonable and proper which is dangerous
and negligent.
D. Type of serious violation is an important factor in deciding to pursue:
(1) Non- hazardous violations- Pursuit to apprehend this violator seldom warrants a prolonged
chase or operation of your police vehicle at high speed. These violations do not justify the same
degree of risk as may be justified as a hazardous violation and

(2) Hazardous violations. These violations present continuing danger to other road users that
require immediate and sometimes aggressive pursuit. Examples are;
(a) Driving while under the influence of liquor,
(b) Reckless driving, and
(c) Driving at excessive speed.

E.Consider the following when pursuing hazardous violators:

(1) A violator of this nature is likely to have little concern for other drivers at their safety.
(2) Successful flight from identification and apprehension is usually his only concern, and
(3) Be prepared for acts of this type of violator which could give him an advantage while
interfering with your pursuit and successful apprehension. Like trying to force you or other
motorists off the road.

F.Consider your driving skill and experience. Driving skill is that collection of proper habits that enable a
person to detect and evaluate road and traffic conditions about him, and to maneuver his vehicle properly
without consciously thinking about what he is doing. Check your skill in these areas:
(1) Manipulative skills- making your vehicle behave as you intend,
(2) Recognizing road and traffic conditions that may hinder your pursuit
(3) Defensive driving- anticipating and allowing bad driving by others

G. Resisting distraction. You should know what evasive actions will permit you to avoid or escape
unfavorable traffic conditions. A driver can often protect himself danger if he knows how to recognize the
danger in time and take proper evasive action.

2.Pursuit Techniques A successful pursuit operation can he attained if the pursuing officer knows the following:
(1) His limitations and strength in driving a patrol vehicle under normal conditions
(2) Good driving combined with effective techniques will help to minimize the dangers involved in a pursuit
at high speed, and
(3) Normal driving skill is not automatically unproved by wearing a police uniform, or by having a police
car to operate.

3. Identification of Pursued Vehicle

 a. When alone, use a clipboard with attached paper and a pencil. Anchor the clipboard by sitting on part
of it so that notes can be written without looking down.
b. Post a list of wanted persons or vehicles on a "hot sheet" within easy viewing range while in driving
position. The list should be arranged by caves of offense for rapid identification of violators wanted for a
more serious offense.
C. Identify the violator's vehicle for later identification, particularly when the pursuit is lengthy, interrupted,
or abandoned, or in case you are injured by the violators
d. The registration plate is a very important and accurate method of establishing the identity of a vehicle is
also important. Train yourself to observe the complete license plate number at a glance. E. e. Record the
registration number as soon as possible, and check it against your "hot sheet Sometimes the prescribed
registration number on a clipboard is the only clue to the identification of an escaping violator who has
struck or injured an officer

4. Itemized Identification Features of the Vehicle- For an effective identification of the pursued vehicle, the
officer must be familiar with the following features;
a. Color- For example, red, black, etc When the vehicle has more than one color, find give the color of the
body and then the top.
Ex. black body, gray top

b. Year of Manufacture-learn to identify the year model of a vehicle.

Ex. "1996"

c. Make- Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, etc

d. Body Type- pick-up, wagon, 4dr sedan, truck, etc

e.License Plate Number-city or province of issuance, letter and number prefixes.

Ex. AAA 456

f.Outstanding Features and Accessories- "wide bank racing stripe vinyl top, particular damage which,
are noticeable as crumbled fender, damaged door, or cracked door

g. Unusual Features of the Driver or Passengers- clothing, air, glasses, etc.

5.Keep Headquarters Advised through the dispatcher about the progress of the pursuit operation.
a. You must apprehend violators as soon as possible, Radio contact with HQs aids in accomplishing this
objective by alerting other patrol units in the area.

b. While in pursuit, use your radio whenever necessary and advisable. If forced to abandon pursuit and
there is no radio available, use any nearest telephone.

6. Stopping and approaching a violator it is completed when you have stopped the violator's vehicle and move to
the place where you will begin to talk to the driver. The following should be observed:
A. In stopping a violator, at most be done in safety to you, the driver you stopped, to other road users. b.
Approach the violator preferably on the left side from the rear and be alert for the unexpected

C. Officer-Violator Relationship. The first reminder for an officer is to establish a PLEASANT RELATIONSHIP with
offending motorists or pedestrians. This way be accomplished by:
1. The appearance of your uniform, equipment and person will create the violator's impression of you. A neat clean
uniform properly worm and a well-groomed person will create a good impression.
2. The officer and the violator should remain calm and tactful while discussing the violation to maintain peace and proper
enforcement of traffic law. Remember, be courteous and tactful in conversing.
3. Never open your conversation in a sarcastic or derogatory way. Avoid such opening as
a. Don't you know?
b. b. Who do you think you are?
c. Where do you think you are going?
d. What's your hurry?

4. Being alert at all times for the unexpected.

5. In requesting the diver's license or vehicle registration certificate (CR), observe the following;
a. Do not put your head or arms in the car windows,
b While waiting for the license, ask the driver, "What is your name, Sir?"
 c.Never accept anything other than the papers requested,
D. Ask the papers being requested to be removed from the billfold or other containers.
E. Have the driver hand the requested papers to you outside the window,
F. Establish the identity of the driver and check the entries of both the license and the registration papers for any
possible fraud, or false identities or falsifications, and
G. Do not return the driver's license and vehicle registration certificate until you are about to terminate the
interview.
In terminating your contact with the violator-
A. Explain to the driver what action he must take.
B. Tell him when and where he must appear
C. Don't discuss probable bail penalties with the violator,
D. Avoid any naughty suggestion that he should engage in the services of a counsel, or how he should plead, e.
When you are certain the driver understands what he should do, close the interview by:
(a) Thanking the driver for his cooperation
(b) (b) Explaining how he may avoid further difficulty.
(c) (c) Help the driver get safely through the traffic, and
(d) (d) When the violator leaves, don't follow him immediately. He may feel that you are just waiting to nab
him again.

D. Road Check. This is another enforcement activity that involves the conducting of actual inspection of vehicles, and
motorists on the road
1. Objectives of road check. The objective of road check is to detect and mspect the following
a. Faulty vehicle equipment
b. Registration and licensing violations,
c. Intoxicated drivers.
d. The load or cargo of commercial vehicle for load weight

2. Considerations to be taken
a. Minimum delay to the motorist
b. Thorough checking procedure,
c. Protection/safety of both motorist and officers,
d. Timing, location, and frequency

In case thorough checking of vehicles will be conducted, take note of the legalities of searches or the instances that
validate the search, ex. search incidental to a lawful arrest, consented search, a search of moving vessel, and search by
"tips"

Traffic Direction and Control

As discussed earlier, Traffic refers to the movement of people, goods, vehicles, trains, ships, and airplanes from one
place to another And controlling traffic involves attempts to make these movements as fast, safe, and efficient as possible.
Aside from utilizing traffic control devices, one important aspect of traffic is the assigning of traffic officers along
intersections where traffic congestions are common problems.

Intersection defined. As applied to a street or highway, it means the space occupied by two streets at the point where
they cross each other. Usually, this is the place where traffic direction and traffic control is needed

Police Traffic Direction. It is defined as telling drivers, and pedestrians when, how, and where they may may not move or
stand at a particular place, especially during emergencies or periods of congestion.

A. Who is tasked to direct and guide traffic? In the Philippines, traffic officers are usually deputized by the Land
Transportation Office who normally comes from the PNP-TMG, Police auxiliaries, MMDA Traffic Management Section. In
some places, volunteers coming from barangay security forces,and other civic organizations assist in the directing and
controlling of traffic particularly during rush hours,special occasions, and time of emergencies.

B. Directing and Guiding Traffic. The following are the basic concept for effectively directing and guiding traffic:

1. When you are assigned to direct traffic, you are expected to indicate or show to the drivers and pedestrians
how, when, and where they may move.

2. To do this, use a type of sign language which shall be understandable to all persons you will be directing.
 3. However, if your signals are different from those used by other officers, motorists would probably fail to
understand them and ignore you altogether.

4. Hence, it is important for the efficient direction of traffic that the officers use uniform gestures and signals.

5. Moreover, the signals should be able to be seen over a fairly long distance. When directing traffic,you first want
drivers and pedestrians to recognize that you are the officer who will tell them what to do. But you must also know
how to tell them when to stop, go or turn by using gestures alone.

6. Normally, this is in the center of the intersection. Stand as though you mean business. Stand straight with your
weight equally distributed to each foot.

7. When you are not signaling, let your hands fall at your sides. When you authorize vehicles to move, do not face
them. Stand so that your side is toward the oncoming vehicle.

C. Suggested Methods of Directing and Guiding Traffic.

1. Use hand signals to designate decisions to motorists and pedestrians.

2. Supplement the arm/hand signals with a whistle:

a. One long blow to STOP

b. Two short snappy blasts for GO

c. Three blasts to be used for assistance.

3. If two or more officers are assigned in one intersection, the only one makes the decision, while the other take
theirs from him.

4. To stop a moving lane, the point at the car you intend to stop and

5. Give the driver the opportunity to stop.

6. The hand signal should be made with the arm extended and the palm facing the person or vehicle to be
stopped. (see illustration #1- Hand Signals for Stop).

1.1 Point 1.2 Point to the driver to stop Half traffic at the right side 1.4 Point to the driver at the opposite direction to stop

D.Night Control of Traffic. There are instances when traffic officers are needed to direct and guide fic during night time,
not only during lights out where traffic lights are not functioning but also ring some instances where an accident occurs
and traffic officers are needed to guide the motorists. Whichever case, the following are the suggested methods to be
used while directing and guiding traffic during night time.
1. When light is sufficient, work as in day time.
2. If the light is not sufficient, use a flashlight:
a. To STOP, direct he flashlight in line with the vision and move back and forth.
b. To START, use the same motion as in daylight except with a flashlight.
 c. Supplement the actions with a whistle.
E. Hand Signals. Illustration #2 to #5 are some of the standard hand signals when directing traffic.
Note: The signals may be modified also by the traffic direction Officer as deemed necessary so that motorists may clearly
understand the decision of the traffic officer especially during night time. In addition to the hand signals and blowing of the
whistles, flags with varying colors (usually red and green) are used to supplement the signaling

2.1 Halt opposing traffic with right hand 2.2 Point where the driver should stop

3.1 Give turn signal and 3.2 Starting-pointing traffic 3.3 Halt opposite traffic with 3.4 Point to turning driver and
signal for traffic straight to go ahead right hand give turn signal with left hand for

4.1 One Long Whistle Signal for Stop 4.2 Two Short Whistle for Go 5.1. Directing Traffic to STOP 5.2. Directing Traffic to GO