The warden traffic department—commonly referred to as the Traffic Warden Division or Traffic Department—plays a vital role in the control, regulation, and enforcement of road traffic laws. Their primary responsibilities include assisting the police with traffic management, directing vehicles, promoting road safety, and enforcing related regulations. Traffic Wardens, while involved in law enforcement, typically do not possess arrest powers. Instead, they focus on directing traffic, managing road safety around work or school zones, diffusing potentially dangerous traffic situations, and ensuring the smooth flow of vehicles and pedestrians[3].
Traffic Wardens often act as liaisons between the traffic police and the general public. They help with:
- Regulation of traffic at key points and intersections
- Assisting with special duties as requisitioned by the traffic department, such as managing traffic during public events or infrastructure work
- Visiting schools to coordinate road safety patrol activities
- Supervising and training student road safety cadets
- Coordinating and participating in campaigns, parades, and road safety events
Their schedules are usually coordinated by senior wardens in consultation with the traffic department, with set duty hours and participation in special events being mandatory for those in volunteer-based warden services[1].
In addition to these core responsibilities, Traffic Wardens may also:
- Direct vehicles around construction or accident sites to maintain traffic flow
- Assist with parking regulations and enforce compliance
- Report road hazards, defective traffic signals, or dangerous conditions to supervisors or relevant agencies
- Work closely with other law enforcement units, although their powers may be more limited compared to full police officers[5]
Departments associated with traffic wardens, such as traffic police or transportation departments, also engage in broader tasks like accident investigation, roadworthiness inspections, public safety awareness initiatives, and compiling accident statistics[4][8].
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