highway patrol

A highway patrol is a police unit, detail, or law enforcement agency created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways within a jurisdiction. They are also referred to in many countries as traffic police, although in other countries this term is more commonly used to refer to foot officers on point duty who control traffic at junctions. Functions Duties of highway patrols or traffic police may include the following: Accident investigation Gathering evidence to determine the cause of a roadway accident. Commercial vehicle enforcement Enforcing highway laws related to commercial transport, including weight limits and hazardous materials rules. Education Providing public information, handouts, and displays to encourage safe driving and usage of the roads. Emergency response Securing the scene of a traffic accident by using cones and flares as well as providing first aid to the injured. Law enforcement Assisting local police in rural areas, and keeping an eye out for non-traffic violations. Maintenance Observing and reporting damage to the roadways, and conducting hasty road surveys after disasters or the passage of inclement weather. Traffic enforcement Enforcing laws and regulations intended to improve traffic safety, such as speed limits.