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One Intersection - One Officer
An idea for directing traffic in the big city of Wichita Falls.
I write this in the spirit of the old Texas Rangers (law enforcement division) tale about "One Riot, One Ranger". Look it up if you're interested.
Due to a power interruption, the traffic signals at Seymour Highway and Loop 11 - the loop that doesn't loop - were out. Two WFPD officers were in the intersection attempting to direct traffic. I could see the officers looking at each other, trying to coordinate their efforts, and the motorists trying to decide which officer they should be looking at for direction.
This is not a complex intersection. There is no need for two officers. The process is simple. Enter the intersection and stop all traffic. Then, let traffic flow from the north-south turn lanes. Stop that traffic, and let traffic flow from the north-south "thru-traffic" lanes. Then, repeat the process for the east-west traffic. There's nothing complicated about it. It's easy work for a single officer.
To make the situation even worse, the officers were not using the correct body position and standard hand signals that motorists could easily see and understand. They were facing the traffic they were trying to direct. Their non-standard hand signals were not easily seen because their hands were in front of their bodies. One officer was using a "come here" type motion, something you might use to summon a child. They should have had their front & back sides facing halted traffic. Moving traffic should see the officer's side view.
I've directed a lot of traffic. Clearly, these officers had never had practical instruction on this task. Perhaps training could be given by Military Police or officers from agencies who direct traffic daily. What I saw did not reflect well on the WFPD.
Lt. Chet Chester III, Retired. (Grandson of the late Officer Chet Chester of space alien fame.)