Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

How should a law enforcement officer establish proper protection for a motorist at an incident scene?

1. Set up cones and signage

2. Block the travel lane with their vehicle and use flares

3. Wait for traffic to clear

4. Direct traffic manually

The correct answer is: Block the travel lane with their vehicle and use flares

Blocking the travel lane with their vehicle and using flares is the best method for a law enforcement officer to establish proper protection for a motorist at an incident scene. This approach serves multiple critical purposes. First, the presence of the police vehicle in the travel lane acts as a physical barrier, preventing other vehicles from inadvertently entering a dangerous area where an incident is occurring. This vehicle not only signals to oncoming traffic that there is a situation ahead but also protects both the motorists involved in the incident and the responding personnel from oncoming traffic. Second, utilizing flares enhances visibility and alerts approaching drivers to the hazard well in advance. Flare placement is significant; they should be positioned appropriately to provide adequate warning to drivers, allowing them to slow down or change lanes safely. The combination of the police vehicle and flares creates a highly visible warning system that is effective in redirecting traffic safely away from the incident. While setting up cones and signage, waiting for traffic to clear, or directing traffic manually are all potential methods of traffic management, they may not provide the immediate and robust physical protection needed in an emergency scene like option B does. Cones and signage can easily be overlooked by distracted drivers, and waiting for traffic to clear can lead to unsafe delays