How to Direct Vehicular Traffic
A tree branch falls in the road during a storm, a traffic collision blocks an intersection or roadway, traffic signals are not working or do not exist - these are all situations that may require you to direct vehicular traffic. Whether you are a police officer on the streets or just a regular person, knowing how to direct vehicular traffic can come in handy.
First, you need to understand that the drivers of the vehicles are relying on you to tell them where to go and how to get there safely. Therefore, you should know what road hazards exist and where they are in relation to the traffic, so you reduce the risk of creating another traffic hazard. This is also important because you do not want to place yourself in a hazardous situation, as you will not do much good for the drivers you are trying to direct, if you are incapacitated.
Next you need to take charge of the situation. Make sure to wear highly visible clothing, such as bright colors or reflective material, so the drivers will be able to see you even in low visibility conditions. Stand up straight in a conspicuous place and make eye contact with the drivers you are directing. This way they know you are "talking" to them and not just standing there for your health. Usually when drivers see a person take charge of the situation like this, they will stop and wait for that person's instructions. However, watch the drivers around you closely because not everyone will stop. Also, do not expect traffic to wait forever. If you are going to direct the traffic, get moving.
Now, understand that drivers usually cannot hear you talking to them, so verbal commands will not work. In other words, you will have to use hand signals to direct them. To stop traffic, make eye contact with the driver you wish to stop, raise your right arm parallel to the ground and show the driver your right palm. To get traffic moving, make eye contact with the driver you are trying to direct, raise your left arm parallel to the ground, and then with your hand flat, bend your left elbow so your hand is pointed toward the sky and repeat this motion for each vehicle. To get traffic to turn, make eye contact, extend your left arm parallel to the ground, point at the driver, bend your left elbow while keeping it parallel to the ground and point in the direction you wish the driver to go and repeat for each vehicle.
Those three commands are the basis for all the rest of the commands you need to direct vehicular traffic. When in a traffic situation, you probably will not be dealing solely with traffic coming in one direction, so you will have to combine these moves and modify them to meet the situation's requirements. It is easiest at first to only deal with one direction moving at a time. Pick a direction and indicate the desired movement, as described above, until you are ready for them to stop. Then stop that direction as indicated above. Make sure that traffic is stopped before allowing the next direction to go. Leave your right hand extended in the stop position toward the first direction, while you indicate for the new direction to go. Be patient, some vehicles start and stop slower than others.
These are the basic directions you need to get traffic moving smoothly and safely. Just remember to remain in charge, visible, to pay attention to the drivers around you, and you will do fine.
