Police & ForensicsTraffic control at a crash
You are sent to a crash that blocks the road and is backing up traffic. You protect the scene with the patrol car, check the injured first, then control the traffic so no second collision happens, and only then go back to the investigation. It is the traffic congestion procedure of the Albany Police Department (New York) general order on traffic collision investigations.
Free to startScenarios
- A crash causing major traffic congestion.
- A crash likely to cause major traffic congestion.
The steps
- Dispatch sends at least two units to a crash with major traffic congestion or the likelihood of it.
- Position the patrol car with its emergency equipment to protect the scene and everyone involved.
- Immediately assess the status of the injured.
- Then assess the status of the traffic congestion.
- Control the traffic so that no additional collisions happen.
- On a major scene, use crime scene tape and officers so no unauthorized person gets in.
- The first officer is in charge of the scene until a supervisor arrives.
- Once the traffic is under control, or stopped as needed, resume the investigation of the crash.
To pass
- A crash that causes major traffic congestion always gets a thorough investigation and the mandatory police crash report.
- The supervisor who arrives takes charge of the scene or turns it over to an accident investigator.
Official source
General Order 3.4.10: Traffic Collision Investigations
The City of Albany publishes its police general order on traffic collision investigations free: the scene steps, the reports and who reviews them.
Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by NHTSA, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the Albany Police Department or any law enforcement agency. Agency and form names are named only to describe the content.