PoliceLink

G. Quaintance

 

This article is aimed at the reduction of high-volume intersection red light violations and associated collisions.

 

 

Increase the safety of the intersection and reduce collisions. 

 

Address red-light violations on-site to influence the future driving behavior of violators before collisions occur.

 

            Create a high level of visibility during a high-volume time period by utilizing an active presence and the opportunity for the motoring public to observe actual enforcement occurring to influence the future driving behavior of all motorists using the intersection.

 

            Using a standard single-unit approach, red light violations are readily observed. However, it is not always possible or practical to pursue and/or catch violators due to the high volume of traffic or multi-lane conditions. The amount of idle time between cycles is often not sufficient for an officer to enter and subsequently clear an intersection in pursuit of a violator. Once multi-lane traffic begins flowing in a direction other than that of the observed violation, entering the intersection perpendicular to the flow (or potential flow) of traffic is hazardous to both the officer and the public who is often unaware of the situation unfolding. 

 

            Reduce the hazards associated with pursuing violators by limiting the movement of officers within an intersection only to those directions which do not have to cross a perpendicular flow of traffic. Utilizing a minimum of two units, all potentially affected directions of travel in a standard four-way intersection with turn bays can be more safely enforced. (Note: this plan does not address right-turn on red violations as these violations do not cross through the intersection and can be addressed successfully using a standard means of enforcement.)

 

 

 

            Place units diagonally opposite to each other at two corners of the intersection. This increases the visibility of the officers to the motoring public. Additionally, this logically divides the responsibility for directions of travel within the intersection (see diagram 1). 

There are eight principal movements through an intersection which are responsible for major collisions. Four of these directions are straight paths of travel and four of them involve turns. Each unit will have primary responsibility for observing and pursuit for the direction they are facing. Each unit will assume the responsibility for calling out the direction and description of violators for the other three directions of travel visible from their location. Utilizing more than two units will reduce the amount of idle time in between stops. 

Using this method, the potential for collisions involving the officer is substantially reduced because the only flow of traffic that would be crossed by the officer is both in full view of the officer and has a full view of the officer involved. This flow of traffic is the traffic turning towards the officer as he enters the intersection to pursue a violator who is utilizing a straight path of travel through the intersection. All other directions in which the officer has the responsibility for pursuit places them in front of and traveling in the same direction of potentially affected traffic flows. The remaining hazard for these movements remains the right-hand turning movements at his corner of placement. These movements are fully visible to the officer.