Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

10504908Traffic Theory

Course Information

Description

In this course, the learner will enforce Wisconsin traffic laws, detect traffic violations, issue traffic citations, direct traffic, identify responsibilities of a first responding officer, manage the response to a scene, take necessary steps to enable effective follow-up as needed, conduct an initial investigation at a crash scene, identify the mechanics of measuring and documenting traffic crash scenes, complete the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Accident Report, record the crash scene using photography, take appropriate enforcement action based on information gathered, and recognize and interpret indicators of impaired driving.This course consists of competencies and learning objectives from the following blocks of instruction from the Law Enforcement Standards Board 520 hour Law Enforcement Basic Training Curriculum.Traffic Law Enforcement - 12 hoursScene Management - 2 hoursTraffic Crash Investigation - 12 hours

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Enforce Wisconsin traffic law

Assessment Strategies

by responding to a simulated traffic accident

Criteria

you enforce the laws in a non-judgmental manner

you enforce all laws that apply

you do not enforce laws that do not apply

you apply common sense
Detect traffic violations

Assessment Strategies

by controlling traffic flow in a full size or scale model mock up

Criteria

you demonstrate the proper position to direct traffic

you demonstrate the proper hand signals

you demonstrate the proper whistle signals
Issue traffic citations, ranging from warnings to arrest. ***

Assessment Strategies

by issuing a citation for a simulated traffic accident

Criteria

the citation has all necessary information included

the citation has additional information included only when relevant (in your judgement) to the situation

the citation is clear and legible (if hand written)

the citation issuance complies with all department policies
Direct traffic

Assessment Strategies

by physically directing traffic

Criteria

you select the correct tools and safety equipment (whistle, cones, flares, etc.)

you wear personal protective equipment (reflective vests, colored gloves, etc.)

you position yourself correctly in the intersection

you perform hand signals deliberately and clearly

you perform the correct hand signal and direct the driver in the direction he/she wishes to go in

you route traffic safely and effectively

you follow safety procedures

you communicate with others when directing traffic with multiple officers
Identify responsibilities of a first responding officer, following the steps of the Incident Response model (RESPOND)

Assessment Strategies

by participating in a discussion on the RESPOND model

Criteria

you discuss what each letter of the RESPOND model stands for

you list the activities that need to be done under each step of the RESPOND model:

R - Report: Become aware, Plan response, Arrive/Assess, Alarm/Inform

E - Evaluate: Look for dangers, Determine back up needs, Enter when appropriate/tactically sound

S - Stabilize: Subject(s), Scene

P - Preserve: Life (conduct an initial medical assessment - as trained, treat to level of training, continue to monitor the subject(s)), Evidence

O - Organize: Coordinate additional responding units (if necessary), communicate with dispatch and others, and organize the collection of evidence (if appropriate)

N- Normalize: Provide long-term monitoring (as appropriate), Restore scene to normal, Return radio communications to normal

D - Document/Debrief: Debrief self, other responding personnel, subject(s), other persons, Document incident appropriately
Manage a scene response

Assessment Strategies

by acting as scene commander for a simulated traffic accident and coordinating the response

Criteria

you prioritize necessary actions

you direct resources according to those priorities

you maintain constant and clear communication with responding units

you make every effort to calm citizens present

you communicate known facts only when communicating with the public or the media and do not sensationalize or theorize
Take necessary steps to enable effective follow-up as needed

Assessment Strategies

by debriefing and documenting the incident

by discussing the incident command system

by discussing critical incident stress and ways to manage it

Criteria

you debrief the appropriate people on scene

you document actions at the scene on the appropriate reports

you describe the incident command system's role in an ongoing response to an incident

you discuss the emotional aspects of emergency care

you discuss critical incident stress management, critical incident stress debriefing, and critical incident stress defusing
Conduct an initial investigation at a crash scene

Assessment Strategies

by discussing officer actions when conducting an initial investigation at the crash scene

Criteria

you discuss how to identify and interview operators, passengers, and witnesses at a crash scene

you discuss how to identify physical appearance factors, characteristics, and behaviors of the driver relevant to the crash investigation

you discuss what types of equipment officers should inspect on a vehicle and discuss expected damage results, potential equipment failures, and unusual conditions an officer may find at a crash scene
Identify the mechanics of measuring and documenting traffic crash scenes.

Assessment Strategies

by measuring and documenting a simulated crash scene

Criteria

Results: you locate the position of each vehicle and any body outside of a vehicle

Results: you locate scars (gouges and scratches) on the road, roadside, and on any fixed objects

Results: you locate debris areas such as significant vehicle parts and pedestrian possessions, underbody dirt, vehicle parts, liquid spatter, dribble, and puddles

Results: you locate tire marks such as skid marks, yaw marks, and collision scrubs

Results: you locate parked vehicles which may have obstructed the drivers' view(s)

Results: you locate barricades and construction vehicles or materials

Locating Spots for Each Result: you locate two spots for each vehicular unit (trailers separate), skid marks, curved tire marks less than 6 feet long, and grooves or scrapes more than 3 feet long

Locating Spots for Each Result: you locate one spot for debris areas and clusters of scars less than three feet long, bodies, detached vehicle parts, pedestrian possessions, irregularities and crossings of tire marks

Locating Spots for Each Result: you locate three or more spots for debris areas more than 3 feet long and a regular intervals along yaw marks more than 8 feet long

System of Measurement: you decide which system of measurement is best based on crash scene circumstances

System of Measurement: you choose the coordination method that uses the roadway edge as a reference line; or

System of Measurement: you choose the triangulation method using permanent landmarks as reference points; or

System of Measurement: you choose a combination of coordinates and triangulation; or

System of Measurement: you choose two separate systems if more convenient

Marking Spots: you mark reference points for coordinates

Marking Spots: you mark spots for vehicles or bodies which will be removed before measurements are made

Marking Spots: you mark the beginning and end of tire marks, including the faint (erasure) markings

Marking Spots: you mark stations on a reference line for long curved tire marks

Marking Spots: you mark spots on the perimeter of debris area(s)

Marking Spots: you mark other spots for the convenience in referring to letter or number designations

Field Sketch: you draw the skeleton of roadway edges

Field Sketch: you draw a dotted line to indicate edges aligned on opposite sides of the intersection

Field Sketch: you draw the results of the crash scene (from learning objective 2.1)

Field Sketch: you draw the spots located at the crash scene (from learning objective 2.2)

Basic Measurement Table: you draw three columns for coordinate measurements listed as: SPOTS, [N-S], and [E-W]

Basic Measurement Table: you draw three columns for triangulation measurements listed as: SPOTS, [RP 1], and [RP 2]

Basic Measurement Table: you draw one horizontal line for each spot

Entering Measurements: you measure to the nearest half foot and enter those measurements into the table

Entering Measurements: you use decimal points for feet and tenths, underlining inches and spelling out the word "steps"

Additional and Supplemental Measurements: you take additional measurements to support the basic measurements

Additional and Supplemental Measurements: you record the additional and supplemental measurements where convenient on the field sketch or on the table of measurements

Review Field Sketch: you review the field sketch for clarity and completeness

Review Field Sketch: you make any additions or corrections needed to the field sketch

Identify Items on a Sketch: you note the sketch type (field or scale)

Identify Items on a Sketch: you note the nominal north direction

Identify Items on a Sketch: you list the names of the roads

Identify Items on a Sketch: you list a description of reference points

Identify Items on a Sketch: you add the distance and direction to a recognizable landmark if the scene is not at a road junction, railroad crossing, or bridge

Identify Items on a Sketch: you list the city and state

Identify Items on a Sketch: you list the time of day and the date of the crash

Identify Items on a Sketch: you list the name of the person taking the measurements

Identify Items on a Sketch: you list the date the measurements were actually made

Identify Items on a Sketch: you note the accident or case number for reference

Identify Items on a Sketch: you list the names of the zero end person and read end person helping take measurements

Identify Items on a Sketch: you list the document and/or case number

Identify Items on a Sketch: you label the final position and directions of the results, tire marks, and other objects on the sketch

Identify Items on a Sketch: you note the grade of the road at the crash scene
Complete a Wisconsin MVA report form

Assessment Strategies

by documenting a simulated traffic accident scene using the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Accident Reports

Criteria

the WMVA report has all necessary information included

the WMVA report has additional information included only when relevant (in your judgement) to the situation

the WMVA report is clear and legible (if hand written)

the WMVA report issuance complies with all department policies
Record the crash scene using photography

Assessment Strategies

by articulating when and how to photograph a crash scene

Criteria

"At-Scene" photographs: you explain that four overall views (at least 150 feet from the near intersection side for a 4-lane undivided road) are taken

"At-Scene" photographs: you explain that four medium views (cover street width at or near the area of impact) should be taken

"At-Scene" photographs: you explain that driver view(s) on approach should be taken (36 to 42 inches above ground level)

"At-Scene" photographs: you explain that you take a best overall picture of the scene (including vehicles, all results, and land mark(s))

Photographs of the road: you explain that photographs should include skid marks, yaw marks, tire marks, solid and liquid debris, what's there and maybe even what is NOT present

Photographs of the road: you explain that photographs should show location identification of marks on the road, including a landmark or by taking two photos, one including a background object or including your own identifying marks in the photo

Photographs of the road: you discuss photographing long marks (more than 40 feet) beginning to end and any peculiarities in between, at regular intervals, and that special attention should be paid to changes in direction or peculiar areas and textures of the road

Vehicle Damage Photographs: you explain how these photographs can be used to reconstruct the scene and evaluate repair costs

Vehicle Damage Photographs: you explain standard photo recording (4 photos starting at the front of the vehicle working clockwise and squarely toward the side area) photographing along the vehicle's centerline (aligning camera by undamaged parts)

Vehicle Damage Photographs: you list detailed damage photos that should be taken, such as imprints of one vehicle on another, friction and/or abrasion marks, damage to lamps, damage to loads, sources of injury to pedestrians or occupants (flash for interior photos), and detailed damage to tires and wheels and under side of vehicle

Specific Photographs: you identify specific photographs to take such as, vehicle interiors (make exposure as if there were no daylight), use a series with an assistant for specific items (VIN's, matched areas, evidence, etc.), take unscaled and scaled photos, and visibility conditions (weather, fog, traffic control devices, parked vehicles, obstructions, window condition, etc.)

Specific Photographs: you identify photographs that document victim(s)' location(s) and injuries when appropriate (thrown from vehicle or contact areas inside the vehicle)

Specific Photographs: you discuss photos taken that identify vehicle condition (contents, tires, any indication the vehicle was unsafe prior to the crash, etc.)
Take appropriate traffic enforcement action based on information gathered

Assessment Strategies

by using your investigation to determine if you should take enforcement action or take no legal action against any person involved in the crash

Criteria

you list any factors involved in taking enforcement action against any person involved in the crash

you explain your reasoning for taking no legal action

you explain how to use the information gathered at the scene and documentation of the crash to justify prosecution