Guidelines for Safe and Efficient Operating Procedures at the Scene
of a Roadway Incident
The ability to quickly implement proper temporary traffic controls might greatly reduce the effects of a secondary incident, such as crashes, disabled vehicles or excessive traffic delays. An essential function for Emergency Response Personnel is the proper control of traffic through the incident scene in order to protect responders, victims, and other personnel while providing safe traffic flow.
The following guidelines reflect the commitment of State and Local Agency and Association heads that will lead and instruct their personnel to have an “Open Roads Philosophy.”
The “Open Roads Philosophy” means; that all agency responders, after ensuring their own personal safety and the safety and security of any incident victims, should have as their top priority reducing congestion and the higher risks of secondary crashes for public/motorist safety. This can be initiated by clearing vehicles, victims, and debris from the travel portion of the roadways which will allow traffic to resume at the maximum possible capacity under the circumstances. All of this will be balanced with the need for accurate investigation. It is critical that every First Responder believes in and is guided by the “Open Roads Philosophy.”
The following guidelines reflect the commitment of State and Local Agency and Association heads that will lead and instruct their personnel to have an “Open Roads Philosophy.”
The “Open Roads Philosophy” means; that all agency responders, after ensuring their own personal safety and the safety and security of any incident victims, should have as their top priority reducing congestion and the higher risks of secondary crashes for public/motorist safety. This can be initiated by clearing vehicles, victims, and debris from the travel portion of the roadways which will allow traffic to resume at the maximum possible capacity under the circumstances. All of this will be balanced with the need for accurate investigation. It is critical that every First Responder believes in and is guided by the “Open Roads Philosophy.”