Security guards can control traffic on public roads only when directed by a police officer.

Traffic rules aren’t just a handful of signs and signals. They’re a web of authority, responsibility, and safety. When you’re on the job as a security professional in Ontario, you quickly learn that directing traffic on public roads isn’t something you can do at will. Here’s the practical truth: a security guard can control traffic on public roads only when a police officer instructs them to do so. Let me explain why that distinction matters and what it means for day-to-day security work.

A simple rule with big implications

• The correct answer to the question of who can direct traffic on public roads is straightforward: you’re acting on a police officer’s instruction.

• Why this rule exists is less about drama and more about safety and accountability. Police officers have the lawful authority to manage traffic, set up roadblocks, and coordinate crowd movement. They carry the training, the legal framework, and the responsibility for ensuring public safety in complex, dynamic situations.

• A security guard can assist in certain scenarios, especially on private property or at events with police support or delegation. But when it comes to the public streets, the authority to direct traffic rests with law enforcement. That delegation—when it happens—should be clear, intentional, and supervised.

Where the line sits: private property versus public roadways

• On private property, a security guard can have substantial authority. Think of shopping centers, apartment complexes, or a corporate campus: the owner or manager defines the scope, with guard presence guiding vehicles and pedestrians within that property’s boundaries.

• On public roads, the landscape changes. The street belongs to everyone, and the state assigns the rules. A guard may be asked to help move people along, establish a temporary flow—say, during a parade or a sporting event—but only under police direction.

• In practice, you’ll often see security teams stationed near entrances, parking lots, or at chokepoints to support traffic movement. The key is that their role is to implement the police plan, not to override it.

Why police authority is essential

• Public safety is the primary goal. Traffic control isn’t just about moving cars; it’s about preventing accidents, ensuring pedestrians cross safely, and keeping emergency routes open.

• Liability follows authority. If a guard directs traffic without police instruction and something goes wrong, the issue isn’t just bad timing—it could be a legal exposure for the employer, the contractor, and the individual officer involved.

• Training and accountability matter. Police receive extensive instruction on traffic management, signage, signaling, and decision-making in evolving conditions. Delegating that duty to a private guard happens in a structured way, often during large events or in response to a specific incident.

What this looks like on the ground

• Picture a city street during a crowded event. A police officer might assign a security team to help with crowd flow, directing vehicles toward open lanes or keeping pedestrians from stepping into a busy crosswalk. The guard’s signals—hand gestures, flags, or reflective vests—are part of the larger plan led by the officer.

• In emergency scenarios, those lines can blur temporarily. A police officer may authorize a trained guard to perform traffic direction to prevent gridlock or to secure an area while officers handle the core incident. Even then, the guidance comes from the police, not the other way around.

• Outside those contexts, a guard should not take independent control of traffic on a public street. If a supervisor asks you to direct traffic, ensure there’s a clear police directive behind it. If not, you’re stepping beyond your authorized role.

What to do if you’re asked to direct traffic

• Check the source. If a police officer is present or if your supervisor confirms a police directive, follow the officer’s signals. Your role is to support, not to substitute, their authority.

• Keep it practical. Use clear, visible signals. If you’re trained to use hand signals, cones, and temporary signs, apply them as part of the official plan. Communicate with motorists calmly and concisely.

• Stay within your scope. Don’t engage in high-risk maneuvers like stopping fast-moving traffic for long distances or attempting to bypass traffic laws. The goal is orderly movement, not personal bravado.

• Elevate concerns. If you encounter a situation where it’s unclear who has the authority or where directions contradict police guidance, pause and seek supervisor input. In gray areas, err on the side of safety and compliance.

Common misconceptions worth debunking

• misconception: “If I’m a security guard, I can manage traffic anywhere.” reality: not on public roads. Your authority is context-dependent and typically limited to local property or situations where police have delegated control.

• misconception: “Directing traffic is simple. Anyone can do it.” reality: it demands training, situational awareness, and an understanding of legal boundaries and hand signals. A moment of miscommunication can cause a serious accident.

• misconception: “If there’s a big event, security can take charge of traffic.” reality: even at large events, the police define the traffic plan. Guards support that plan, never replace it.

Bringing professional judgment into play

• In Ontario, you’ll hear terms like lawful authority and delegated authority. Your job is to recognize where your duties begin and end, and to defer to police instruction whenever traffic control on public roads is involved.

• It’s tempting to think “I’ve got the whistle” or “I know these streets.” The safer approach is humility and clarity: confirm guidance, confirm again, and execute precisely what you’ve been told.

• Mental models help here. Treat a scene like a choreography: the officer calls the cues, the guards position themselves, and the motorists respond to the rhythm. When the cadence shifts, adapt without breaking the plan.

Practical takeaways for everyday readiness

• Know the difference between private-property authority and public-road authority. If it’s public, default to police direction.

• If you’re ever unsure, pause and seek guidance. Your employer’s procedures should emphasize escalation to police direction for traffic control on public roads.

• Stay visible and predictable. Reflective gear, clear signals, and steady communication help avoid misreads from drivers.

• Practice communication skills. Clear, concise directions reduce confusion. Phrases like “Stop,” “Go,” or “Caution” should be delivered with calm authority, matching the officer’s signals wherever possible.

• Keep emergency readiness in mind. In urgent situations, safety comes first. If there’s danger or a risk to life, call for police and, if trained, implement the temporary measures allowed by their directive.

A few words on the bigger picture

• The authority gap isn’t a loophole; it’s a carefully drawn boundary that keeps roads safe. Law enforcement’s control over public spaces is backed by training, policy, and legal frameworks. Security teams shine when they supplement that effort—passing along important information, guiding crowds, and maintaining a calm presence that helps everyone feel safer.

• The principle holds whether you’re guiding cars around a festival corridor, directing traffic for a construction zone, or helping with a safety perimeter during a city-wide event. The dance is smoother when every participant knows the beat: police direct, guards support.

If you’re navigating Ontario’s security landscape, remember this: the road is public, and authority on it rests with police—unless they’ve given explicit permission to a trained guard to help. In those moments, your role is to implement the plan with clarity, stay within your training, and keep safety front and center. It’s a straightforward rule, but it safeguards lives and lines up everyone’s expectations in a busy, unpredictable world.

So next time you find yourself near a busy street, a crowd, or a planned gathering, pause and ask, “Who’s directing, and who’s supporting?” If the answer points to police direction, you’re on solid ground. If not, it’s time to wait for the right instruction and keep people moving safely in the right way.

Ready for real-life scenarios? Consider how this boundary shows up at events you’ve seen or worked. The more you think through those scenes, the sharper your judgment becomes. And that sharpness—not just knowing the right multiple-choice answer but living it in the field—is what separates practiced, safety-first professionals from the rest.