Highways Agency

Why the Highways Agency has Traffic Officers

Traffic Officers Powers - History

The Government's New Deal for Transport in 1998 set out the Highways Agency's change of focus to become network operator. The Highways Agency and the Police commissioned a review, and in the November 2002 final report, it revealed that there was a strong case for the transfer of general traffic and road management tasks away from the police, thus allowing them to concentrate on tackling crime, investigating collisions and enforcing the law.

Traffic Management Act

On 22nd July 2004 the Traffic Management Bill successfully completed the Parliamentary process and received Royal Assent, becoming the Traffic Management Act 2004. This new legislation provides newly created Traffic Officers with special powers so that they are able to perform certain traffic management tasks previously carried out by the police. The new powers allow Traffic Officers to:

• Stop traffic and close roads, lanes and carriageways
• Direct and divert traffic
• Place and operate traffic signs
• Manage traffic at traffic surveys. These involve stopping vehicles and asking drivers about their journeys. The information from these surveys is used to develop and plan future investment in the transport system.
• Your guide to the Traffic Management Act
• Explanatory notes which accompany the Act

Secondary Legislation

Highway Agency staff are now working on secondary legislation to provide a further extension of powers. These will cover:

• the removal or arranging removal of abandoned or broken down vehicles which are causing an obstruction or are a safety hazard on the network; and
• authorising exceptions and relaxations for other road users from the motorway regulations, such as the use of the hard shoulder.