The police are a body of persons that are constituted and empowered by the government of a given state. The primary responsibility of the police is to maintain law and order, protect property and to enforce law. Among the powers of the police is the legitimized use of power or force when executing their duties but the use of force is only applicable where necessary. A police force is quite different from a military force. As far as the police force is concerned, cases of corruption and of extra judicial killings have been reported all over the world therefore sullying its reputation. In various situations, policing has incorporated an array of numerous activities, but the most predominant ones are preserving law and order. The police force has got lots of alternative names depending on the state. This paper therefore outlines a number of recommendations in relation to the procedures and policies of the traffic law code.
The police force has several departments it and this is mainly because of efficiency when discharging services. Unlike any other ordinary job, the police have a lot of challenges because one has to face individuals including the most dangerous criminals on earth. Corruption is perceived to have escalated among the police officers. According to opinion polls conducted by reliable researchers, the police departments are the leading in corruption in government departments. One of the police branches that have been hit harder by the stalemate of corruption is the traffic department. The work of the traffic police officers is to maintain law and order in the roads. They are mandated to ensure that motorists adhere to regulations set by the state. Therefore, they are empowered to take legal actions against motorists who infringe the traffic act bylaw. Some of the actions that can be taken by the officer on duty during the infringement include impounding of the vehicle involved and apprehending the law breaker where necessary (Gingerich, T 2013)
Mosley (2006) reiterates that in the United States of America, the traffic code constitutes the collection of formally adopted rules and ordinances for better governance of the orderly operation as well as the interaction of cyclists, motorists, pedestrians and other road users. Generally, the traffic code encompasses the provisions that relates to the establishment both enforcement and authority procedure s as well as other safety provisions as far as the rules of the road are concerned. Each state in America has its traffic code. For uniformity purposes, most traffic rules of the road are almost the same. This is due to the fact that the states offer mutual driving opportunities (and penalties) as well to all licensed drivers (Mosley, A. 2006)
For efficiency during operations, there are useful procedures and policies that can be put in place to achieve anticipated objectives in the traffic law code enforcement. The following are some of the crucial procedures and policies that can help achieve projected results in the traffic department:
Special gadgets should be used to test alcoholic content in blood in case of drinking and driving. This will instill fear to those drivers who have these unethical tendencies that leads to loss of lives.
Vehicle codes must be amended to require children of at least 4 years and not more than 8 years of age to be well restrained through child restraint systems or in other words, through booster seats
Prohibited distractive driving devices are to be identified. For instance, the electronic devices or televisions that show video images in the vehicle especially when in motion can cause accidents. Proper rules are to be enforced so as to control and exclude certain vehicles from such requirement.
The modulating headlamps are to be allowed on motorcycles. This will be helpful especially at night.
The procedure of posting and setting of speed limits has to be observed. For instance, increase the speed of freeway truck to 60 miles per hour; increase the freeway speed to the minimum of 55 miles per hour. Speed differential for special vehicles like school buses is to be eliminated. Definition of residence districts is to be eliminated. The definition of business districts is to be revised. The proper formula for setting of suburban and urban prima facie speed limits in places where there is no definite traffic control order has to be provided.
Some clauses must be amended to accommodate the safety of pedestrians and bicycle operators on sidewalks and public roads.
Some sections of the Pupil Transportation act are to be reviewed and amended to address clear and continuous visibility. For example, an option to stop “off” the roadway when some kind of hazard light stops.
The prohibition the possession of police scanners in vehicles is to be withheld.
Snowmobiles are to be allowed to conduct their operations on some limited right of ways under some circumstances. At the same time, access has to be prohibited permanently in some roadways after some conditions are met.
Concerning abandoned vehicles, several sections are to be amended.
The speed limit for school zones is to be reviewed. The posting of signs that indicate whether schools are on 12 months schedules are to be allowed.
A tough penalty must be put in place for those who do not make use of safety belts. Since it is apparent that seatbelts are crucial when it comes to saving lives, citizens must be educated on the same so as to minimize the death toll on highways.
As a law enforcement officer, the fundamental duty of a traffic police officer is to serve mankind by ensuring that that law and order is maintained by road users. Therefore, the officers must be regularly reminded that their core duty is to safeguard lives as well as property; to protect the innocent motorists and pedestrians from aggressive drivers and law breakers. They must also be reminded that it is their primary responsibility to respect the fundamental constitutional rights of everybody to liberty, equality and justice. The officer must be transparent, indiscriminative and just when discharging his/her duties. All these can be made possible through organized workshops by the government. This will also see the minimization of bribery cases.
The state must support the officers by ensuring that their private lives are kept unsullied. The state must ensure that the officer has confidence and maintains calm when discharging his/her duties more so during the face of danger. With the backing of the state, the officer is capable of developing self restraint and at the same time being always mindful of others. The officer must be made to earn the trust of the government and as a result, he is able to be honest in his/her thoughts and deeds in both his personal and official life as stated in the constitution (Concer, J. 2009)
Conclusion:
The central responsibility of the police is to maintain law and order as well as to protect the property. The safety on our roads is nothing if there is no existence of cooperation between the police and the road users. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are all road users and they must obey the rules of the land. Stiffer rules and regulations must be put in place to deal with those who do not abide by the traffic law code.
Concer, J. (2009). Copyright Laws of the United States (2009): and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the U.S. Code. Washington: DIANE Publishing. (Pgs123-345). Print
Gingerich, T (2013). Law Enforcement in the United States: Burlington: Jones & Bartlett. (Pgs12-112) Print.
Mosley, A. (2006). Code of Federal Regulations: Custom Duties. Washington: Federal registrar. (Pgs 13-67) Print.
