TEA Traffic Enforcement Agent Problem Sensitivity and Judgment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A construction crew has placed temporary no-parking signs in an area without notifying you. A vehicle you ticketed was parked legally before the signs appeared. What is the correct action?
- Uphold the citation since the signs were posted
- Void or flag the citation for review since the vehicle may have parked legally before the signs went up (Correct answer)
- Issue additional citations to other vehicles in the zone
- Contact the construction company and leave the citation in place
Correct answer: Void or flag the citation for review since the vehicle may have parked legally before the signs went up
Vehicles that parked before temporary signs were posted may have a valid defense; TEAs should flag questionable citations for supervisory review.
Question 2: You notice a vehicle parked with one wheel on the curb in a residential area. No signs prohibit parking but the curb creates a hazard for pedestrians. What should you consider?
- Do nothing since no sign prohibits it
- Evaluate whether a municipal code prohibits curb obstruction regardless of posted signs, then act accordingly (Correct answer)
- Issue a ticket and move on quickly
- Contact the property owner to resolve the issue
Correct answer: Evaluate whether a municipal code prohibits curb obstruction regardless of posted signs, then act accordingly
General municipal codes often prohibit curb-blocking even without a specific sign; TEAs must know and apply those underlying rules.
Question 3: A driver shows you a doctor's note explaining they need to park near their treatment center. The space is a tow-away zone. What should you do?
- Accept the note and allow parking indefinitely
- Explain that the tow-away zone cannot be overridden by a personal note and suggest legal alternatives nearby (Correct answer)
- Issue a courtesy warning only and walk away
- Call your supervisor and do nothing until you receive guidance
Correct answer: Explain that the tow-away zone cannot be overridden by a personal note and suggest legal alternatives nearby
Doctor's notes do not override tow-away designations; TEAs should direct drivers to accessible legal parking alternatives.
Question 4: You observe a parked delivery truck obstructing a fire hydrant. The driver is visible inside the truck. What is the most appropriate first step?
- Immediately call for a tow truck
- Inform the driver of the violation and give them a brief moment to move before issuing a citation or calling for a tow (Correct answer)
- Issue the citation and leave without interacting with the driver
- Wait for the driver to finish and then take action
Correct answer: Inform the driver of the violation and give them a brief moment to move before issuing a citation or calling for a tow
When the driver is present and accessible, direct communication gives the fastest resolution while maintaining enforcement options if the driver refuses to move.
Question 5: A vehicle is parked in a crosswalk on a busy corner, obstructing pedestrian visibility. What level of urgency should you assign this situation?
- Low — crosswalk violations are minor infractions
- High — crosswalk obstruction creates an immediate safety hazard for pedestrians (Correct answer)
- Medium — address it only if no other violations are present
- It depends on the time of day only
Correct answer: High — crosswalk obstruction creates an immediate safety hazard for pedestrians
Crosswalk obstructions are high-priority because they endanger pedestrians by blocking visibility and forcing them into traffic.
Question 6: You are asked by a store manager to prioritize enforcing a loading zone that is constantly misused. However, another street nearby has a serious double-parking problem. How should you allocate your time?
- Focus entirely on the loading zone as requested by the manager
- Address the double-parking hazard first since it presents a greater traffic and safety problem (Correct answer)
- Ignore both and continue your normal patrol route
- Request additional staff before taking action on either street
Correct answer: Address the double-parking hazard first since it presents a greater traffic and safety problem
TEAs must prioritize enforcement based on public safety impact, not commercial interests; double-parking typically creates greater hazards than loading-zone misuse.
Question 7: You observe a car running in an empty no-standing zone with hazard lights flashing. No driver is visible after two minutes. What action is most appropriate?
- Ignore it because hazard lights signal intent to return
- Issue a citation or initiate towing procedures since the unoccupied running vehicle violates no-standing rules (Correct answer)
- Wait five more minutes before taking any action
- Only act if the vehicle is blocking other traffic
Correct answer: Issue a citation or initiate towing procedures since the unoccupied running vehicle violates no-standing rules
An unoccupied running vehicle in a no-standing zone is a violation regardless of hazard lights, which do not grant standing privileges.
TEA Traffic Enforcement Agent Problem Sensitivity and Judgment 3
A construction crew has placed temporary no-parking signs in an area without notifying you.
A vehicle you ticketed was parked legally before the signs appeared.
What is the correct action?