What was this CHP officer doing?

[unusedusername]

So I was driving down HWY85 and I see a CHP cruiser turn on his lights and start swerving back and forth across all 4 lanes of traffic.

The officers didn't seem to want to pull anyone over but they slowed down to a crawl and just kept bouncing around between lanes. They seemed to be trying to be a "pace car" for traffic, but there was no construction nearby.

I'm sure they had a good reason for doing this, but I can't figure out what it is...

Anyone know?

[tradecraft]

It's called a traffic break....could have been cleaning up some stuff ahead of you.

[safewaysecurity]

The first time I saw a cop do that I had no idea what was going on. It's used as a technique to slow traffic for whatever reason.

[Williexcited]

I saw that happen once the chp cleared a giant ladder off the freeway

[tbhracing]

Traffic Break aka "Round Robin" where they slow down all of the traffic for an incident or to clear an item off the road.

[Tacobandit]

Either clearing an accident or police activity was going on ahead

[HokeySon]

Acting as the pace car to get the racers to line up for the restart!

[odysseus]

Acting as the pace car to get the racers to line up for the restart!

LOL. It's funny how many people don't know what a traffic break is I guess. One time I was on the front edge of one as a CHP cruiser came on the highway and began one. I slowed and brought the pace down with space behind him, but this Audi kept busting in and actually was what looked like trying to get next to and pass the CHP officer. It went on 3 times and you could see the officer was getting furious about it. Once he ended the break he dashed behind and pulled over the Audi with rest of us laughing...

[tbhracing]

There was a public service commercial on this a long time ago. I wonder of the video is around on the interwebs.

[Librarian]

Don't see the PSA, but here's a long clip of a traffic break:

[pure3d2]

LOL. It's funny how many people don't know what a traffic break is I guess. One time I was on the front edge of one as a CHP cruiser came on the highway and began one. I slowed and brought the pace down with space behind him, but this Audi kept busting in and actually was what looked like trying to get next to and pass the CHP officer. It went on 3 times and you could see the officer was getting furious about it. Once he ended the break he dashed behind and pulled over the Audi with rest of us laughing...

I remember being part of a traffic break a few years ago. As soon as I saw the cop zig zag across the freeway, I took the nearest exit and then got back on the next on ramp.

I didn't see any accidents or other cop cars on the freeway. Maybe whatever that was going on happened between those 2 exits.

Are you sure you guys never do this for fun?

[Sniper3142]

So I was driving down HWY85 and I see a CHP cruiser turn on his lights and start swerving back and forth across all 4 lanes of traffic.

The officers didn't seem to want to pull anyone over but they slowed down to a crawl and just kept bouncing around between lanes. They seemed to be trying to be a "pace car" for traffic, but there was no construction nearby.

I'm sure they had a good reason for doing this, but I can't figure out what it is...

Anyone know?

The first time I saw this happen, I thought he wanted to RACE ME, so I did my best to pass and beat him...

Not the best idea in the world.

I've since learned that these "Traffic Breaks" happen for various reasons.

[doctor_vals]

a few years ago saw CHP on 85 and doing exact the same. But finally she stopped all trafic and collect about 40 -50 yards of metal cable. So, they are doing something for safety.

[tbhracing]

In the past I have seen the Officer get out and use his hand to remind the drivers to stop and stay stopped.

[undercow16969]

Interesting...I did not know that.