What is defined as any non-recurring event that causes a reduction of roadway capacity or an abnormal increase in demand and requires a law enforcement response?

• A. Incident
• B. Accident
• C. Collision
• D. Event

Answer: (A)

Non-recurring traffic disruptions that reduce roadway capacity or cause an abnormal increase in demand and require law enforcement response are called incidents. This term covers a wide range of situations beyond crashes—things like disabled vehicles, debris on the road, or other unexpected conditions that slow traffic and require police to manage safety and reroute or control flow. It’s broader than an accident or collision, which are specific types of incidents involving vehicle damage. It’s also more general than an event, which is typically planned and isn’t automatically tied to reduced capacity or a police response.