What is a traffic break?

A traffic break is a technique used by law enforcement or highway patrol officers to slow down or temporarily stop traffic flow on a roadway. This is typically done in situations where there is a hazard or obstruction on the road, such as a vehicle accident, debris, or an animal in the roadway.

During a traffic break, officers will drive slowly in a staggered formation across multiple lanes of traffic, using their lights and sirens to alert drivers to slow down and come to a stop. This allows emergency responders to safely clear the road of any hazards and address the situation causing the traffic break.

Traffic breaks are typically used on freeways or highways where traffic is moving at higher speeds, and can help prevent further accidents or congestion by slowing down traffic in a controlled manner. Drivers are expected to follow the instructions of law enforcement during a traffic break and are not allowed to pass the vehicles involved in the break.