Work Zone Traffic Control for Law Enforcement Personnel
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Contact Information: WorkZoneFeedback@dot.gov
slide 1
Work Zone Traffic Control for Law Enforcement Personnel
Ron Whittaker
DOTD, Highway Safety Law Enforcement Expert
Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development
slide 2
Why We Developed the Updated Course
slide 3
Updated WZ Safety Course Emphasis Areas
- Where the Police Unit Should Be Located and WHY
- Exactly What the Police Officer's Duties and Responsibilities Are When Working in a Work Zone
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Key Issues
- Critical Safety Point
- ¼ Mile Prior to the Queue
- How a Work Zone Should be set up and WHY
- Drive through the WZ prior to detail
- Safety Issues
- YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, as a Police Officer
- Chain of Command to Resolve Safety Issues
slide 5
Car Location With Speed and/or Lane Reduction
The Red Arrow shows the typical location of a police officer in the Advance Warning area of the Work Zone, when there is no queue.
slide 6
Car Location With a Queue (Traffic Backup)
The Red Arrows show the typical location of a police officer when there IS a queue and traffic has backed up past the warning signs.
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Aspects of Training
- Risk Management Principle
- "If it is predictable, it is preventable"
- Concentrate on Where the Problem Really Is
- Critical Safety Point
- Consider Hiring a Police Officer/Retired Police Officer for Training
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Are WZ Crashes Underreported?
- Probably
- Louisiana Crash Report Manual
- …"where the first harmful event occurs within the boundaries of the work zone."
- "Crashes involving vehicles slowed or stopped because of the work zone should not be included unless the vehicles had actually entered the work zone when the first harmful event occurred."
slide 9
Thank You!
Ron Whittaker
LaDOTD Highway Safety Section
PH# 985-969-3117
rwhittaker@live.com
