NCJ Number
79290
Journal
Tijdschrift voor de politie Volume: 40 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 82-87
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Responsibilities of the Dutch police in matters relating to traffic control and planning are outlined.
Abstract
Traffic control, along with keeping the peace and rendering assistance to the public, is one of the principal police responsibilities. On both the local and national levels, mayors control the actions of police in traffic matters. Roads running through a number of towns are the responsibility of the Ministry of Buildings and Roads. The activities of many organizations in the area of traffic education have made general traffic and driver education measures by the police unnecessary. However, police information activities must continue in certain areas, e.g., information about immediate traffic as well as radio traffic information. Publications on traffic regulations and training of traffic units are likewise considered responsibilities of the police. If police enforcement functions are to be carried out efficiently, police must be consulted at the earliest possible stages of drafting legislation and of planning street systems. Police can contribute particularly in planning traffic structures, designing roads and crossings, placing parking lots and garages, marking roads, and planning lighting and public transportation. Generally, the police are best consulted first for existing local traffic situations, responsibility lies more with agencies other than with the police. Finally, on the State and national level, initiative for traffic measures is usually not taken by the police, although they are consulted. Illustrations are supplied.