 In 2004, seven (7) police officers lost their lives as a result of being struck by motor vehicles. Directing traffic is a very dangerous business, and when you add construction equipment, and hazardous work areas, it makes the situation all the more difficult. Here are just a few reminders of what to do when you approach a construction area, especially one where a detail officer is directing traffic.
- Stop everything you are doing and pay attention. Hang up the phone, put down the coffee, close the newspaper, and concentrate on driving. Construction areas, and detail officers often mean that the traffic flow is going to be changed.
- Follow the detail officer's instructions. Remember that a detail officer not only has to control traffic, but accommodate construction equipment. If a detail officer has you stop somewhere that seems unreasonable, it is most likely because the construction has made it unsafe to continue. Just trust them, when it is clear, they will wave you on.
- Detail officers will tell you when to proceed. If you are stopped by a detail officer, please remain stopped until told to proceed. Many drivers start going when they "think" it's safe, because they see the other side of traffic stopped. Don't anticipate. Detail officers have other concerns that you may not be aware of, like perhaps a dump truck is backing up.
- Watch the detail officer. A detail officer supercedes any traffic control signal. If a traffic light is showing green, but a detail officer is ordering you to stop, you must stop.
- Be patient. Trying to move two (2) lanes of traffic, through one lane is not easy. There is no secret, double the cars and half lanes is going to mean a slow down. Detail officers want the traffic to move a fast as possible, yet safely.
- Keep it slow. In a construction area, conditions can change in an instant. Keep your speed down and you will be better prepared for the unexpected.
Please try to remember these simple suggestions when you are approaching a construction area, or detail officer. The Walpole Police Department has very experience and dedicated officers out on the street to try and make the roads as safe as possible. Everyone involved, drivers and officers alike, have the same goal, to get traffic moving quickly and safely. Following these reminders will make that possible.
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