Temporary roadblock: Establishment; minimum requirements.
1. The police officers in this State may establish, in their respective jurisdictions, or in other jurisdictions within this State, temporary roadblocks upon the highways of this State:
(a) To apprehend persons known to be wanted for violation of the laws of this State, another state or the United States, and using the highways of this State for the purpose of escape; or
(b) To control traffic at or near the scene of a potential or existing emergency or hazard.
2. To warn and protect the traveling public, temporary roadblocks established by police officers must meet the following requirements:
(a) The temporary roadblock must be established at a point on the highway clearly visible at a distance of not less than 100 yards in either direction.
(b) At the point of the temporary roadblock, an authorized emergency vehicle, plainly and clearly marked as such and with its warning lights in operation, must be placed so as to be clearly visible to traffic affected by the roadblock at a distance of not less than 100 yards. When so placed, at least one of the vehicle’s flashing red lights must be visible to approaching traffic at a distance of not less than 100 yards.
(c) At the same point of the temporary roadblock, sufficient cones, reflectors, burning flares or similar devices must be in place to identify the point of the roadblock and direct, as necessary, the path to be followed by a vehicle approaching the roadblock. The devices, when in place, must be clearly visible to traffic affected by the roadblock at a distance of not less than 100 yards.
(d) At a point located not less than 200 yards, but not more than 400 yards, from the point of the temporary roadblock, cones, reflectors, burning flares or similar devices must be placed on both shoulders of the highway and near the centerline of the highway to warn traffic that a condition hazardous to traffic exists in the immediate vicinity.
Last modified: February 25, 2006