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Advanced Transportation Code
Duration: 40 Hours (1 week)
Cost: Free
TCOLE Credit: Yes.
Target Audience: Commissioned law enforcement officers, prosecutors, or instructors seeking an in-depth knowledge of the Texas Transportation Code and associated rules and manuals.
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Each peace officer in Texas received instruction in the Transportation Code during a police academy as part of TCOLE’s Basic Peace Officer Course. Unfortunately, for many officers, this police academy class is the only formal TRC training they receive for their entire career.
This course emphasizes understanding and application of traffic law rather than memorization of traffic law facts. Students will not simply hear what the law book says – they will be encourage to understand and properly apply the law in enforcement application scenarios.
Topics of study will include subject matter that frequently creates confusion, uncertainty, or complexity for peace officers:
- Understanding Reasonable Suspicion, Probable Cause, and Culpable Mental States
- Application of Administrative Code and Case Law
- Important Definitions and TRC Applicability
- Vehicle Registration and License Plates
- Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Driver’s Licenses
- Compliance with Traffic Control Devices
- Moving Violations
- Emergency Vehicle Operation
- Vehicle Lighting and the Federal 108 Lighting Standard
- Bicycles, Golf Carts, and Off-Highway Vehicles
- Pedestrians
- Provisions Regarding Vehicle Size and Weight
Law enforcement officers will be introduced to supporting resources such as Texas Administrative Rule, the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 49 C.F.R. 571.108 Federal Lighting Standard, case law, and TXDPS guidance documents. These resources will be utilized to better understand, interpret, and enforce Transportation Code violations. Students will gain confidence in their enforcement decisions and will develop tools to employ in a well-rounded traffic enforcement and crash investigation program.
Prerequisites: None
Note: Students will receive a comprehensive student manual as part of this course. This publication is the intellectual property of the Texas Department of Public Safety and may not be reproduced, distributed, or utilized as curriculum in other training courses without the express written consent of the Texas DPS Transportation Code training coordinator.
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