National Traffic Incident Management Exam Prep 2025 – Comprehensive Practice Test

Blocking lanes plus one refers to situations where an incident requires additional lane closures beyond the lane directly affected by the incident to ensure safety for responders and motorists. In the context of traffic incidents, extrication involves the removal of passengers from a vehicle involved in a crash. This often means that heavy machinery or specialized equipment may be needed, taking up more space on the roadway.

During extrication, responders may need to block the lane of the incident as well as an adjacent lane to create a safe working environment. This helps protect both the emergency personnel and any passing vehicles from potential hazards, such as debris or unexpected vehicle movement.

In comparison, documenting evidence usually doesn't require any additional lanes to be blocked, as it can often be done from the side of the road without impacting traffic flow significantly. Traffic control can sometimes be managed without blocking any lanes at all, depending on the circumstances. Patient transport typically occurs after extrication and may require temporary lane blocking but does not inherently need a block plus one as extrication does. Thus, for extrication, blocking lanes plus one is not just practical but often essential for safety and efficiency.