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Date: 08/28/85 Revision: 08/03/09 Reviewed: 02/11/25 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCED URE Number: GEN 512.00 Page: 1 of 3 SUBJECT: HIGHWAY HAZARDS AND HIGHWAY USER ASSISTANCE; COURTESY SERVICES TO MOTORISTS I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to define guidelines for rendering aid to highway users and reporting hazardous highway situations. II. SCOPE: This shall apply to all Sheriff's Office personnel. III. DISCUSSION: Courtesy services to motorists enhance the public service image of the Sheriff's Office and often directly affect the safety and well -being of citizens. IV. DEFINITIONS: A. General Assistance - Service of a non -emerg ency nature provided by Office personnel, such as providing information or directions and assisting stranded or disabled motorists. B. Emergency Assistance - Service of an emergency nature provided by Office personnel for the benefit of highway users. C. Highway Users - Drivers, passengers, or pedestrians who use the highway systems. V. PROCEDURE FOR NON -TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: It is the responsibility of Sheriff's personnel to provide appropriate non -technical assistance to highway users when such assist ance is required or requested. A. Directions - Deputies shall provide directional assistance to highway users, upon request. Deputies should have sufficient maps or street indexes available to effectively carry out this function. Should requests for dir ections be of such nature that field resource materials are insufficient; dep uties should request assistance from the Communications Section. B. Assistance in Obtaining Fuel - Assistance may be rendered to highway users by conveying them to a facility whe re fuel may be obtained or by contacting the Communications Section to have fuel dispatched to them by a fuel facility. C. Contacting Other Parties - Deputies shall render reasonable assistance in helping stranded motorists contact family, friends, or oth er concerned persons. Requests for assistance may be relayed through the Com munications Section. VI. PROCEDURE FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: A. Deputies shall provide reasonable assistance to highway users in obtaining technical assistance, such as emergenc y medical assistance, fire fighting services, towing, and/or repair services. GEN 512.00 08/03/09 Page 2 of 3 B. Deputies shall not render or be dispatched to render technical services such as jump -starting highway users' vehicles or unlocking vehicles, unless a bona fide state of emerg ency exists (e.g., person, child, or pet is locked inside a vehicle). Due to the hazards posed by side impact airbags, personnel shall not use slim jims, Z -tools, or any other type of unlocking device to open vehicle doors for motorists. If a life-threat ening situation exists, deputies may break a window to gain access. In all other circumstances, personnel should provide assistance pursuant to the guidelines set forth in herein. Citizens who have lost or locked their keys inside a vehicle shall be pla ced in contact with locksmith services. VII. PROCEDURE FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTA NCE: A. Sheriff's personnel trained and certified in first aid shall render first aid when required during emergencies. As soon as practical, the responsibility for first aid shall be relinquished to emergency medical personnel. B. Sheriff's personnel shall summon the services of the appropriate agencies required to handle highway emergencies. VIII. PROCEDURE FOR HIGHWAY USER SAFETY: Sheriff's personnel shall ensure the safety of stranded motorists and their vehicles prior to leaving the scene. Consid eration should be given to time of day, location, and traffic conditions. IX. HAZARDOUS HIGHWAY CONDITIONS: It is the responsibility of deputies to recognize real or potentially dang erous/ hazardous highway conditions and take immediate and appropriate actions to correct them. A. Roadway and roadside hazards shall be reported immediately to the Communications Section, for proper information routing and corrective action. 1. Debris in roadway 2. Defects in roadway 3. Defects in highway safety features (e. g., traffic control devices, impact devices, roadway reflectors, etc.) 4. Visual obstructions 5. Roadway obstructions B. Recognition, Control, and Removal of Hazardous Materials from Roadwa y and Roadside - Deputies who encounter hazardous materials on the roadway are responsible for: 1. Recognizing real or potentially dangerous situations involving material and chemical roadway or roadside spills. 2. Ascertaining the type and am ount of material involved and its possible effects. 3. Notifying the appropria te supervisor about the hazardous material spill and request additional units or assistance necessary to effect control of the area. a. Evacuate the incident scene, as necessary . b. Avoid c ontact with or inhalation of gases, fumes, and smoke. 4. If necessary, obtain advice regarding hazardous materials from the Hillsborough County Fire Department Hazardous Incident Team or the 08/03/09 GEN 512.00 Page 3 of 3 Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC) by calling toll free 1 -800-424-9300. C. Certain patrol units will be equipped with “push bumpers