GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
TITLE: TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
500.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for improving public safety through education and enforcement of traffic-related laws.
500.1.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Lincoln Police Department to educate the public on traffic-related issues and to enforce traffic laws. The efforts of the Department will be driven by such factors as the location and/or number of traffic accidents, citizen complaints, traffic volume, traffic conditions and other traffic-related needs. The ultimate goal of traffic law enforcement and education is to increase public safety.
500.1.3 DEPLOYMENT
Enforcement efforts may include such techniques as geographic/temporal assignment of department members and equipment, the establishment of preventive patrols to deal with specific categories of unlawful driving and a variety of educational activities. These activities should incorporate methods that are suitable to the situation; timed to events, seasons, past traffic problems or locations; and, whenever practicable, preceded by enforcement activities.
Several factors will be considered in the development of deployment schedules for department members. State and local data on traffic accidents are a valuable resource. Factors for analysis include, but are not limited to:
Location.
Time.
Day.
Violation factors.
Requests from the public.
Construction zones.
School zones.
Special events.
Department members assigned to uniformed patrol or traffic enforcement functions will emphasize the enforcement of violations that contribute to traffic accidents, and also will consider the hours and locations where traffic accidents tend to occur. Members will take directed enforcement action on request, and random enforcement action when appropriate. Members shall maintain high visibility while working general enforcement, especially in areas where traffic accidents frequently occur.
500.1.4 ENFORCEMENT
Traffic enforcement will be consistent with applicable laws and take into account the degree and severity of the violation committed. This department does not establish ticket quotas. The number of arrests or citations issued by any member shall not be used as the sole criterion for evaluating member overall performance.
Several methods are effective in the reduction of traffic accidents.
500.1.4.2 CITATIONS
Citations should be issued when a member believes it is appropriate. When issuing a citation for a traffic violation, it is essential that the rights and requirements imposed on motorists be fully explained. At a minimum, motorists should be provided with:
(a) An explanation of the violation or charge.
(b) The court appearance procedure, including the optional or mandatory appearance by the motorist.
(c) A notice of whether the motorist can enter a plea and pay the fine by mail or at the court.
500.1.4.3 PHYSICAL ARREST
A physical arrest can be made on a number of criminal traffic offenses. These cases usually deal with, but are not limited to (Rule 4.1, Ala. R. Crim. P.):
(a) Causing or contributing to an accident that results in injury or death.
(b) Felony and misdemeanor driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
(c) Any felony.
The decision to affect a physical arrest should be based on sound legal principles.
500.1.5 SUSPENDED OR REVOKED LICENSES
If an officer contacts a traffic violator who is also driving on a suspended or revoked license, the officer should issue a traffic citation. Operators driving revoked or suspended due to driving under the influence should have their vehicles impounded unless the registered owner or another family member of the owner is present and can display a valid license (Ala Code 32-6-19). If there is an emergency or medical necessity jeopardizing life or limb, the officer may elect not to impound the vehicle. These drivers shall not be allowed to drive away from the scene.
500.1.6 POLICE ESCORTS
Uniformed Division personnel are authorized to provide escort services within city limits under the following circumstances:
Funeral Processions – Escorts may be provided for funeral processions as a courtesy and to ensure the orderly and safe movement of vehicles.
Military Convoys – Escorts may be provided for military convoys when requested and deemed appropriate.
Business Personnel – Escorts for business personnel may be provided when specific circumstances indicate a credible safety risk to the individual. These escorts require a review of the situation and the prior approval of the Chief of Police.
Prohibited Escorts
Code 3 escorts (utilizing lights and sirens) for high school athletic teams or similar non-emergency activities are strictly prohibited. Nothing in this policy shall prohibits the use of lights and sirens during a permitted parade on a closed highway, road or street with the approval of the Chief of Police.
500.1.7 VISIBLE TRAFFIC CONTROL
Any tendency of a motorist to knowingly violate traffic laws is ordinarily deterred by open and visible patrol, with the number of traffic accidents being correspondingly reduced. However, when there is an unusual or continuing enforcement problem at a particular location officers may park in a conspicuous location and observe traffic.
500.1.8 HIGH-VISIBILITY VESTS
The Department has provided American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Class II high-visibility vests to increase the visibility of department members who may be exposed to hazards presented by passing traffic or by maneuvering or operating vehicles, machinery and equipment (23 CFR 655.601).
500.1.8.1 REQUIRED USE
Except when working in a potentially adversarial or confrontational role, such as during vehicle stops, high-visibility vests should be worn when increased visibility would improve the safety of the department member or when the member will be exposed to the hazards of passing traffic or will be maneuvering or operating vehicles, machinery and equipment.
Examples of when high-visibility vests should be worn include traffic control duties, traffic accident investigations, lane closures and disaster scenes.
When emergency conditions preclude the immediate donning of the vest, members should retrieve and wear the vest as soon as conditions reasonably permit.
Use of the vests shall also be mandatory when directed by a supervisor.
500.1.8.2 CARE AND STORAGE
High-visibility vests shall be maintained and stored in a location to be kept clean and free of damage. Before going into service, each member shall ensure that a serviceable high-visibility vest is properly stored. A supply of high-visibility vests will be made available for replacement of damaged or unserviceable vests.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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