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64-518: The Highway Patrol has many responsibilities. The primary job of the rank and file trooper is traffic law enforcement. This includes traffic collision investigation, issuing warning tickets and citations for traffic violations, and finding, arresting, and processing impaired drivers. A state trooper is a sworn peace officer , and although their primary duty is traffic enforcement, they can perform other law enforcement functions. On February 8 1968, SCHP officers fired on anti-segregation protesters on

128-402: A radar unit) to measure the speed of vehicles, and pull over any vehicle found to be in violation of the speed limit. In Brazil , Colombia and some European countries, there are computerized speed-measuring devices spread throughout the city, which will automatically detect speeding drivers and take a photograph of the license plate (or number plate), which is later used for applying and mailing

192-473: A stop sign at every entrance, called four-way stops. A failed signal or a flashing red light is equivalent to a four-way stop, or an all-way stop . Special rules for four-way stops may include: In Europe and other places, there are similar intersections. These may be marked by special signs (according to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals ), a danger sign with a black X representing

256-405: A breach to turn, and this might cause inconvenience for drivers that follow them but do not want to turn. This is why dedicated lanes and protected traffic signals for turning are sometimes provided. On busier intersections where a protected lane would be ineffective or cannot be built, turning may be entirely prohibited, and drivers will be required to "drive around the block" in order to accomplish

320-569: A circular green indication to show that turns in the direction of the arrow are prohibited, but other movements are allowed. In some jurisdictions, a red arrow prohibits a turn on red . In Europe, if different lanes have differing phases, red, yellow and green traffic lights corresponding to each lane have blacked-out areas in the middle in the shape of arrows indicating the direction(s) drivers in that lane may travel in. This makes it easier for drivers to be aware which traffic light they need to pay attention to. A green arrow may also be provided; when it

384-479: A concept of a major road and minor road. The default give-way-to-the-right rule used in Continental Europe causes problems for many British and Irish drivers who are accustomed to having right of way by default unless otherwise indicated. A very small proportion of low-traffic junctions are unmarked – typically on housing estates or in rural areas. Here the rule is to "proceed with great care" i.e. slow

448-535: A contract with an incorporated city have responsibility to investigate and enforce traffic laws in incorporated cities. However, the SCHP can still enforce traffic laws on any public road anywhere in the state regardless if it is in an incorporated or unincorporated city. SCHP has authority over any incident that would require a Trooper's response. SCHP troopers are responsible for investigating and disposing of car accidents , debris, dead animals and other impediments to

512-420: A crossroads. This sign informs drivers that the intersection is uncontrolled and that default rules apply. In Europe and in many areas of North America the default rules that apply at uncontrolled four-way intersections are almost identical: A number of features make this protected intersection . A corner refuge island, a setback crossing of the pedestrians and cyclists, generally between 1.5–7 metres of setback,

576-411: A double white line means that the lane change is prohibited. When a street is wide enough to accommodate several vehicles traveling side-by-side, it is usual for traffic to organize itself into lanes , that is, parallel corridors of traffic. Some roads have one lane for each direction of travel and others have multiple lanes for each direction. Most countries apply pavement markings to clearly indicate

640-501: A forward stop bar, which allows cyclists to stop for a traffic light well ahead of motor traffic who must stop behind the crosswalk. Separate signal staging or at least an advance green for cyclists and pedestrians is used to give cyclists and pedestrians no conflicts or a head start over traffic. The design makes a right turn on red, and sometimes left on red depending on the geometry of the intersection in question, possible in many cases, often without stopping. This type of intersection

704-527: A major road from a smaller road or alley must yield to the traffic of the busier road, but signs are often still posted. The boulevard rule can be compared with the above concept of a major and minor road, or the priority roads that may be found in countries that are parties to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. Also known as a "four-way" intersection, this intersection is the most common configuration for roads that cross each other, and

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768-486: A particular road at a busy intersection may be dominant – that is, its traffic flows – until a break in traffic, at which time the dominance shifts to the other road where vehicles are queued. At the intersection of two perpendicular roads, a traffic jam may result if four vehicles face each other side-on. Drivers often seek to turn onto another road or onto private property . The vehicle's blinking turn signals (commonly known as "blinkers" or "indicators") are often used as

832-496: A phenomenon known as traffic waves . A complete breakdown of organization may result in traffic congestion and gridlock . Simulations of organized traffic frequently involve queuing theory , stochastic processes and equations of mathematical physics applied to traffic flow . The word traffic originally meant "trade" (as it still does) and comes from the Old Italian verb trafficare and noun traffico . The origin of

896-463: A public road usually has priority over other traffic such as traffic emerging from private access; rail crossings and drawbridges are typical exceptions. Uncontrolled traffic comes in the absence of lane markings and traffic control signals . On roads without marked lanes, drivers tend to keep to the appropriate side if the road is wide enough. Drivers frequently overtake others. Obstructions are common. Intersections have no signals or signage, and

960-603: A turn lane does not normally indicate a prohibition of turns in that direction. Instead, traffic control signs are used to prohibit specific turns. Turn lanes can increase the capacity of an intersection or improve safety. Turn lanes can have a dramatic effect on the safety of a junction. In rural areas, crash frequency can be reduced by up to 48% if left turn lanes are provided on both main-road approaches at stop-controlled intersections. At signalized intersections, crashes can be reduced by 33%. Results are slightly lower in urban areas. Turn lanes are marked with an arrow bending into

1024-405: A way to announce one's intention to turn, thus alerting other drivers. The actual usage of directional signals varies greatly amongst countries, although its purpose is to indicate a driver's intention to depart from the current (and natural) flow of traffic well before the departure is executed (typically 3 seconds as a guideline). This will usually mean that turning traffic must stop and wait for

1088-457: Is guilty of a misdemeanor simply for travelling 5 miles over the speed limit. Trail ethics are a set of informal rules for right of way for users of trails , including hikers, mountaineers, equestrians, cyclists, and mountain bikers. Vehicles often come into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians because their intended courses of travel intersect, and thus interfere with each other's routes. The general principle that establishes who has

1152-466: Is common for drivers to observe (and trust) the turn signals used by other drivers in order to make turns from other lanes. If several vehicles on the right lane are all turning right, a vehicle may come from the next-to-right lane and turn right as well, in parallel with the other right-turning vehicles. In most of Continental Europe , the default rule is to give priority to the right , but this may be overridden by signs or road markings. There, priority

1216-438: Is common in the bicycle-friendly Netherlands . Pedestrians must often cross from one side of a road to the other, and in doing so may come into the way of vehicles traveling on the road. In many places pedestrians are entirely left to look after themselves, that is, they must observe the road and cross when they can see that no traffic will threaten them. Busier cities usually provide pedestrian crossings , which are strips of

1280-436: Is formally organized in many jurisdictions, with marked lanes , junctions , intersections , interchanges , traffic signals , cones , or signs . Traffic is often classified by type: heavy motor vehicle (e.g., car , truck ), other vehicle (e.g., moped , bicycle ), and pedestrian . Different classes may share speed limits and easement, or may be segregated. Some jurisdictions may have very detailed and complex rules of

1344-569: Is generally expected to move to the lane closest to the direction they wish to turn. For example, traffic intending to turn right will usually move to the rightmost lane before the intersection. Likewise, left-turning traffic will move to the leftmost lane. Exceptions to this rule may exist where for example the traffic authority decides that the two rightmost lanes will be for turning right, in which case drivers may take whichever of them to turn. Traffic may adapt to informal patterns that rise naturally rather than by force of authority. For example, it

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1408-488: Is known from the crossing at Shibuya Station , Tokyo. In 2020, NHTSA reported that more than 50% of pedestrian deaths in the United States (3,262 total) were attributed to failure to yield the right of way-- which typically occurs at intersections. Poor visibility at junctions can lead to drivers colliding with cyclists and motorcyclists. Some junctions use advanced stop lines which allow cyclists to filter to

1472-427: Is often used narrowly to mean only road traffic. Rules of the road and driving etiquette are the general practices and procedures that road users are required to follow. These rules usually apply to all road users, though they are of special importance to motorists and cyclists . These rules govern interactions between vehicles and pedestrians . The basic traffic rules are defined by an international treaty under

1536-449: Is on, drivers heading in the direction of the arrow may proceed, but must yield to all other vehicles. This is similar to the right turn on red in the US. Disadvantages to turn lanes include increased pavement area, with associated increases in construction and maintenance costs, as well as increased amounts of stormwater runoff. They also increase the distance over which pedestrians crossing

1600-497: Is permitted in the "slower" lanes, though many require a special circumstance. See "Lanes" below. In the United Kingdom and Canada, notably on extra-urban roads, a solid white or yellow line closer to the driver is used to indicate that no overtaking is allowed in that lane. A double white or yellow line means that neither side may overtake. In the United States, a solid white line means that lane changes are discouraged and

1664-465: Is whether to utilize the left or right half of the street. In many countries, the rules of the road are codified, setting out the legal requirements and punishments for breaking them. In the United Kingdom , the rules are set out in the Highway Code , which includes not only obligations but also advice on how to drive sensibly and safely. In the United States , traffic laws are regulated by

1728-1195: The Michigan left / Superstreet (RCUT/MUT) and continuous flow intersection (CFI/DLT), to improve traffic flow, and also interchange types like Diverging diamond interchange (DDI/DCD) design as part of the Federal Highway Administration 's Every Day Counts initiative which started in 2012. Vulnerable road users include pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and individuals using motorized scooters and similar devices. Compared to people who are in motor vehicles (like cars and trucks), they are much more likely to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries at an intersection. Intersections generally must manage pedestrian as well as vehicle traffic. Pedestrian aids include crosswalks , pedestrian-directed traffic signals ("walk light") and over / underpasses . Traffic signals can be time consuming to navigate, especially if programmed to prioritise vehicle flow over pedestrians, while over and underpasses which rely on stairs are inaccessible to those who can not climb them. Walk lights may be accompanied by audio signals to aid

1792-563: The traffic signal is used to establish the right of way on the busy roads. Its primary purpose is to give each road a duration of time in which its traffic may use the intersection in an organised way. The intervals of time assigned for each road may be adjusted to take into account factors such as difference in volume of traffic, the needs of pedestrians, or other traffic signals. Pedestrian crossings may be located near other traffic control devices; if they are not also regulated in some way, vehicles must give priority to them when in use. Traffic on

1856-715: The 1976 Code. This law provides extra information as to what entity has jurisdiction on emergency incidents. https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/title6.php The SCHP uses a paramilitary rank structure. Throughout the years of the Patrol, 51 Troopers have died performing their duty. Auxiliary Trooper Program Fatality Victims Memorial Child Safety Seatbelt Demonstration Trooper Public Speaking Program The South Carolina Highway Patrol use many different varieties of marked, semi-marked, and unmarked vehicles, like many other law enforcement agencies in South Carolina and

1920-495: The Italian words is unclear. Suggestions include Catalan trafegar "decant", an assumed Vulgar Latin verb transfricare 'rub across', an assumed Vulgar Latin combination of trans- and facere 'make or do', Arabic tafriq 'distribution', and Arabic taraffaqa , which can mean 'seek profit'. Broadly, the term covers many kinds of traffic including network traffic , air traffic , marine traffic and rail traffic, but it

1984-869: The South Carolina Highway Patrol issues the 9mm Glock Model 17M. Troopers were previously issued the Glock Model 37 .45 GAP and the Glock Model 22 .40 S&W . The last revolver used was the Smith & Wesson Model 66 .357 magnum which is a derivative of the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Traffic Traffic comprises pedestrians , vehicles , ridden or herded animals, trains, and other conveyances that use public ways (roads/sidewalks) for travel and transportation. Traffic laws govern and regulate traffic, while rules of

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2048-509: The applicable rules of the road allow them to be where they happen to be. In addition to the rules applicable by default, traffic signs and traffic lights must be obeyed, and instructions may be given by a police officer, either routinely (on a busy crossing instead of traffic lights) or as road traffic control around a construction zone, accident, or other road disruption. Traffic heading in inverse ways ought to be isolated so as to not hinder each other's way. The most essential guideline

2112-499: The authority of the United Nations, the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic . Not all countries are signatory to the convention and, even among signatories, local variations in practice may be found. There are also unwritten local rules of the road, which are generally understood by local drivers. As a general rule, drivers are expected to avoid a collision with another vehicle and pedestrians, regardless of whether or not

2176-435: The behaviors of all road users’ traffic. Specifically, it has a main role in crashes. Some jurisdictions forbid crossing or using the road anywhere other than at crossings, termed jaywalking . In other areas, pedestrians may have the right to cross where they choose, and have right of way over vehicular traffic while crossing. In most areas, an intersection is considered to have a crosswalk, even if not painted, as long as

2240-543: The campus of the South Carolina State University in Orangeburg . Three were killed and 28 others were injured. This event came to be called the Orangeburg massacre . SCHP Commander The agency has specific jurisdiction over all South Carolina state highways, U.S. Highways, Interstate highways in the state and all public roads. Local city police or the counties sheriff's department having

2304-572: The circle, but there remain some notable exceptions that operate on the old rule, such as the Place de l'Étoile around the Arc de Triomphe . Priority to the right where used in continental Europe may be overridden by an ascending hierarchy of markings, signs, signals, and authorized persons. In the United Kingdom, priority is generally indicated by signs or markings, so that almost all junctions between public roads (except those governed by traffic signals) have

2368-512: The direction of the turn which is to be made from that lane. Multi-headed arrows indicate that vehicle drivers may travel in any one of the directions pointed to by an arrow. Traffic signals facing vehicles in turn lanes often have arrow-shaped indications. North America uses various indication patterns. Green arrows indicate protected turn phases, when vehicles may turn unhindered by oncoming traffic. Red arrows may be displayed to prohibit turns in that direction. Red arrows may be displayed along with

2432-409: The flow of traffic. See related traffic wave and Pedestrian Crossings, above. Overtaking (or passing ) refers to a maneuver by which one or more vehicles traveling in the same direction are passed by another vehicle. On two-lane roads, when there is a split line or a dashed line on the side of the overtaker, drivers may overtake when it is safe. On multi-lane roads in most jurisdictions, overtaking

2496-488: The free flow of traffic. They are often the first government officials at the scene of an accident (or obstruction), and in turn summon EMS/Fire (although, their dispatch often does this long before they are on scene), tow truck drivers or SCDOT personnel. The SCHP files traffic collision reports for state highways and within unincorporated areas. The patrol has around 800 employees, of whom 650 are sworn Troopers, and 150 civilians. Also see Section 1. Chapter 11 of Title 6 of

2560-479: The front of a traffic queue which makes them more visible to drivers. A European study found that in Germany and Denmark, the most important crash scenario involving vulnerable road users was: These findings are supported by data elsewhere. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , roughly half of all U.S. car crashes occurred at intersections or were intersection related in 2019. In

2624-404: The greater the damage if a collision does occur. Therefore, many countries of the world limit the maximum speed allowed on their roads. Vehicles are not supposed to be driven at speeds which are higher than the posted maximum. To enforce speed limits, two approaches are generally employed. In the United States, it is common for the police to patrol the streets and use special equipment (typically

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2688-405: The intersection shown in the diagram, left turn lanes are present in the right-left street. Turn lanes allow vehicles, to cross oncoming traffic (i.e., a left turn in right-side driving countries, or a right turn in left-side driving countries), or to exit a road without crossing traffic (i.e., a right turn in right-side driving countries, or a left turn in left-side driving countries). Absence of

2752-401: The issue of "lane ownership": in some countries, drivers traveling in a lane will be very protective of their right to travel in it while in others drivers will routinely expect other drivers to shift back and forth. Designation and overtaking The usual designation for lanes on divided highways is the fastest lane is the one closest to the center of the road, and the slowest to the edge of

2816-436: The limits of each lane and the direction of travel that it must be used for. In other countries lanes have no markings at all and drivers follow them mostly by intuition rather than visual stimulus. On roads that have multiple lanes going in the same direction, drivers may usually shift amongst lanes as they please, but they must do so in a way that does not cause inconvenience to other drivers. Driving cultures vary greatly on

2880-528: The location. These default priority rules differ between countries, and may even vary within countries. Trends toward uniformity are exemplified at an international level by the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals , which prescribes standardised traffic control devices (signs, signals, and markings) for establishing the right of way where necessary. Crosswalks (or pedestrian crossings) are common in populated areas, and may indicate that pedestrians have priority over vehicular traffic. In most modern cities,

2944-463: The most basic type. If traffic signals do not control a four-way intersection, signs or other features are typically used to control movements and make clear priorities. The most common arrangement is to indicate that one road has priority over the other, but there are complex cases where all traffic approaching an intersection must yield and may be required to stop. In the United States, South Africa, and Canada, there are four-way intersections with

3008-445: The pedestrian must push a button in order to assert their intention to cross. In some countries, approaching traffic is monitored by radar or by electromagnetic sensors buried in the road surface, and the pedestrian crossing lights are set to red if a speed infringement is detected. This has the effect of enforcing the local speed limit. See Speed Limits below. Pedestrian crossings without traffic signals are also common. In this case,

3072-607: The rest of the United States. Most vehicles are a part of fleets, usually late 1990s to as recent as 2010 Ford Crown Victoria or the modified versions of the Crown Vic (as it is commonly called), The Ford Police Interceptor . Also used are 2007 to present Dodge Charger of modified LX and SRT-8 body styles, and starting in 2012, the Ford Taurus and Ford Explorer , and Chevrolet Tahoe . They also used Chevrolet Caprices, Ford Mustang SSP's, and Ford Crown Victorias. In 2017,

3136-775: The right . If not otherwise specified, "right" and "left" can be reversed to reflect jurisdictions where vehicles are driven on the left . One way to classify intersections is by the number of road segments (arms) that are involved. Another way of classifying intersections is by traffic control technology: At intersections, turns are usually allowed, but are often regulated to avoid interference with other traffic. Certain turns may be not allowed or may be limited by regulatory signs or signals, particularly those that cross oncoming traffic. Alternative designs often attempt to reduce or eliminate such potential conflicts. At intersections with large proportions of turning traffic, turn lanes (also known as turn bays ) may be provided. For example, in

3200-405: The right to go first is called "right of way" or "priority". It establishes who has the right to use the conflicting part of the road and who has to wait until the other does so. Signs, signals, markings and other features are often used to make priority explicit. Some signs, such as the stop sign , are nearly universal. When there are no signs or markings, different rules are observed depending on

3264-409: The road include traffic laws and informal rules that may have developed over time to facilitate the orderly and timely flow of traffic. Organized traffic generally has well-established priorities, lanes, right-of-way, and traffic control at intersections . ( International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea govern the oceans and influence some laws for navigating domestic waters.) Traffic

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3328-512: The road where pedestrians are expected to cross. The actual appearance of pedestrian crossings varies greatly, but the two most common appearances are: (1) a series of lateral white stripes or (2) two longitudinal white lines. The former is usually preferred, as it stands out more conspicuously against the dark pavement. Some pedestrian crossings accompany a traffic signal to make vehicles stop at regular intervals so pedestrians can cross. Some countries have "intelligent" pedestrian signals, where

3392-404: The road while others rely more on drivers' common sense and willingness to cooperate. Organization typically produces a better combination of travel safety and efficiency. Events which disrupt the flow and may cause traffic to degenerate into a disorganized mess include road construction , collisions , and debris in the roadway . On particularly busy freeways, a minor disruption may persist in

3456-624: The road. Drivers are usually expected to keep in the slowest lane unless overtaking , though with more traffic congestion all lanes are often used. Intersection (road) An intersection or an at-grade junction is a junction where two or more roads converge, diverge, meet or cross at the same height, as opposed to an interchange , which uses bridges or tunnels to separate different roads. Major intersections are often delineated by gores and may be classified by road segments, traffic controls and lane design. This article primarily reflects practice in jurisdictions where vehicles are driven on

3520-439: The roads meet at approximate right angles. The United Kingdom and Croatia are among the exceptions. Pedestrian crossings may also be located away from intersections. A level crossing is an at-grade intersection of a railway by a road. Because of safety issues, they are often equipped with closable gates , crossing bells and warning signs. The higher the speed of a vehicle, the more difficult collision avoidance becomes and

3584-492: The same road (unless there were multiple lanes, but then one must take care in case a vehicle jumped lanes). New Zealand abolished this particular rule on 25 March 2012, except at roundabouts or when denoted by a Give Way or Stop sign. Although the rule caused initial driver confusion, and many intersections required or still require modification, the change is predicted to eventually prevent one death and 13 serious injuries annually. On roads with multiple lanes, turning traffic

3648-597: The states and municipalities through their respective traffic codes . Most of these are based at least in part on the Uniform Vehicle Code , but there are variations from state to state. In states such as Florida, traffic law and criminal law are separate; therefore, unless someone flees the scene of an accident or commits vehicular homicide or manslaughter, they are only guilty of a minor traffic offense. However, states such as South Carolina have completely criminalised their traffic law, so, for example, one

3712-438: The street are exposed to vehicle traffic. If a turn lane has a separate signal phase, it often increases the delay experienced by oncoming through traffic. Without a separate phase, left crossing traffic does not get the full safety benefit of the turn lane. Alternative intersection configurations, formerly called unconventional intersections, can manage turning traffic to increase safety and intersection throughput. These include

3776-504: The ticket. Many jurisdictions in the U.S. use this technology as well. A mechanism that was developed in Germany is the Grüne Welle , or green wave , which is an indicator that shows the optimal speed to travel for the synchronized green lights along that corridor. Driving faster or slower than the speed set by the behavior of the lights causes the driver to encounter many red lights. This discourages drivers from speeding or impeding

3840-405: The traffic laws usually states that the pedestrian has the right of way when crossing, and that vehicles must stop when a pedestrian uses the crossing. Countries and driving cultures vary greatly as to the extent to which this is respected. In the state of Nevada the car has the right of way when the crosswalk signal specifically forbids pedestrian crossing. Traffic culture is a determinant factor for

3904-724: The turn. Many cities employ this tactic quite often; in San Francisco, due to its common practice, making three right turns is known colloquially as a "San Francisco left turn". Likewise, as many intersections in Taipei City are too busy to allow direct left turns, signs often direct drivers to drive around the block to turn. Turning rules are by no means universal. For example, in New Zealand (a drive-on-the-left country) between 1977 and 2012, left turning traffic had to give way to opposing right-turning traffic wishing to take

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3968-418: The vehicle and check for traffic on the intersecting road. Other countries use various methods similar to the above examples to establish the right of way at intersections. For example, in most of the United States, the default priority is to yield to traffic from the right, but this is usually overridden by traffic control devices or other rules, like the boulevard rule . This rule holds that traffic entering

4032-460: The visually impaired. Medians can offer pedestrian islands, allowing pedestrians to divide their crossings into a separate segment for each traffic direction, possibly with a separate signal for each. Some intersections display red lights in all directions for a period of time . Known as a pedestrian scramble , this type of vehicle all-way stop allows pedestrians to cross safely in any direction, including diagonally. All green for non motorists

4096-460: Was initially given according to the social rank of each traveler, but early in the life of the automobile this rule was deemed impractical and replaced with the priorité à droite (priority to the right) rule, which still applies. At a traffic circle where priorité à droite is not overridden, traffic on what would otherwise be a roundabout gives way to traffic entering the circle. Most French roundabouts now have give-way signs for traffic entering

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