TIM stands for Traffic Incident Management and includes a multi-disciplinary approach to identify and respond to incidents quickly and safely. The United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration has an initiative to provide TIM training opportunities in every state. In our state, the program is managed by the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, Traffic Engineering Division.
This video explains the importance of TIM to provide quick clearance and reduce secondary incidents.
Gary is a former State Police Chief of Staff who retired in December 2013 at the rank of Major. Since then, he has been serving as a consultant for the TIM program. His duties include assisting in the development and implementation of the West Virginia TIM Training program for first responders; developing and maintaining partnerships with response agencies throughout West Virginia; and the development of training approaches and opportunities. In addition to being a National Traffic Incident Management Master Instructor, and conducting training throughout West Virginia, he also assists other trainers with training information and needs.
The driver of any vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, blue, or red and blue lights or amber or yellow warning lights, shall proceed with due cation, yield, and reduce speed.
Read the full law hereQuick clearance of all traffic incidents, large and small, is important not only for reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility on the highway network, but also for improving safety for travelers and incident responders. Minor incidents, even those on the roadway shoulder, can become major incidents. Lengthy clearance times increase the exposure of travelers and responders to secondary crashes. A secondary crash can be much more serious that a minor primary incident.
Whenever a vehicle has been stopped, parked or left standing upon any part of a highway or constitutes an obstruction to the restoration of traffic flow as the result of an accident or other emergency, any police officer or employee of the Division of Highways, duly authorized by the commissioner, may remove or order the removal of the vehicle, by towing or otherwise, to the nearest available established garage or parking lot for storage until called for by the owner or his or her agent. The owner is liable for the reasonable cost of removal and storage, and until payment of the cost the garage or parking lot operator may retain possession of the vehicle subject to a lien for the amount due. The garage or parking lot operator may enforce his or her lien for towing and storage in the manner provided in section fourteen, article eleven, chapter thirty-eight of this code for the enforcement of other liens.
Read the full law hereIn recent years, distracted driving has led to an increase in crash occurrences. State law prohibits the use of electronic devices without handheld features. This includes talking and texting for all drivers.
Read the full law hereThe Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Chapter 6I, provides guidance for management of traffic incidents. Much like a construction work zone, the purpose is to alert drivers of the incident.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation in partnership with Traffic Incident Management is promoting the #MoveOver campaign through November 17th. First responders like police officers, fire and rescue squads, and maintenance vehicles are the first people to arrive and provide assistance during an emergency. The majority of drivers do not know to move over and slow down when they see responders working on our roadways, and the men and women who risk their lives to keep our roads safe are paying the price. WVDOT wants to remind drivers to move over and slow down when first responders are working on our roadways. These men and women risk their lives each day to keep our roads safe and help during emergency situations.
More information about TIM awareness week is available on FHWA’s website: https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/eto_tim_pse/about/tim.htm
Read a tweet from WVDOT about the promotion.
Come meet our TIM trainers at the WV EMS conference in Morgantown on October 11-12, 2018. See our calendar for more information and a link to the conference site.
Date posted: 9/10/2018West Virginia Department of Transportation, Traffic Engineering is pleased to launch our new TIM website. On this site, you will find important links to our WV State Laws, national resources, and local training request. Our training is offered free to any West Virginia first responder, including police, fire, EMS, tow industry, and any others who would benefit.
Date posted: 6/15/2018
