By Sgt. Scott McDaniel
CARSON CITY — On occasion it becomes necessary for law enforcement to restrict access to an area where an emergency is taking place. Most of the time traffic is allowed to continue with minimal direction from on scene personnel.
Unfortunately though, sometimes it becomes a matter of necessity to block an entire roadway to traffic for both the safety of you, the motoring public and those who are working in the area which is blocked off.
The reasons are many and can be anything from a major car crash, a search for a dangerous individual or a structure fire to name a few. Although this can be an inconvenience, it is done with your well being in mind.
I know it can be frustrating to drive up to a blocked roadway.
Your desire to know what is going on or to reach your destination seems a priority but please keep in mind, the deputies and/or other emergency crews on scene are doing their best to complete the task at hand and reopen the roadways to traffic.
More often than not, there is an individual directing traffic to a side street which will lead back to the road that you are travelling on. As it is important to keep traffic flowing, this is not a good time to stop and ask this person what is going on or other questions which cause traffic to back up.
In this day and age, alternate routes can be located by utilizing apps and mapping programs which are located in your vehicle, on your laptops and cell phones. Have a passenger look up the route or pull to the side of the road so as to not cause a crash due to inattentive driving.
Calling the dispatch center during this time to ask about what is happening or when the roadway is opening, is not a good idea as they are very busy trying to coordinate radio traffic, make phone calls for resources, and taking other 911 emergency calls. Often times, the dispatch center will not have the answers you seek as every situation is unique and can change rapidly.
Be prepared, if you always travel the same route from place to place, look at alternative ones for those times when you may come across traffic which is backed up due to a road closure.
Listen to the radio for traffic reports which may give you an indication as to what is occurring and how long a roadway is expected to be closed. Above all, have patience and realize that lives may be in danger and your cooperation in keeping traffic flowing will help emergency personnel complete their job and get the roadway reopened.
Sgt. Scott McDaniel
Carson City Sheriffs Office
