A highway patrol, or state patrol is either a police unit created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways, or a detail within an existing local or regional police agency that is primarily concerned with such duties. They are also referred to in many countries as traffic police, although in other countries this term is more commonly used to refer to foot officers on point duty who control traffic at junctions. Functions Duties of highway patrols or traffic police may include the following: Accident investigation Gathering evidence to determine the cause of a roadway accident. Commercial vehicle enforcement Enforcing highway laws related to commercial transport, including weight limits and hazardous materials rules. Education Providing public information, handouts, and displays to encourage safe driving and usage of the roads. Emergency response Securing the scene of a traffic accident by using cones and flares as well as providing first aid to the injured. Law enforcement Assisting local police in rural areas, and keeping an eye out for non-traffic violations. Maintenance Observing and reporting damage to the roadways, and conducting hasty road surveys after disasters or the passage of inclement weather. Traffic enforcement Enforcing laws and regulations intended to improve traffic safety, such as speed limits. Argentina In Argentina, traffic policing is the responsibility of the Argentine National Gendarmerie. Australia In Australia, traffic policing is the responsibility of the state police forces (with the notable exception of the Australian Capital Territory, under the responsibility of the Australian Federal Police). Each force has its own traffic sections, often a local section in each area and a statewide section. Austria In Austria, traffic policing on highways is the responsibility of the Austrian Federal Police. Belgium In Belgium, traffic policing on highways is the responsibility of the Wegpolitie - Police de la Route (WPR) a section of the Federal Police (former Gendarmerie). Wiki page about the WPR (in Dutch) Brazil In Brazil, traffic policing is the responsibility of state and federal police forces accordingly to the highway administration status. State administered highways (usually shorter, within state borders, two-way, single lane, lower traffic) are policed by a branch of the Military Police forces, called State Highway Military Police. At the same time Federal highways and roads (longer, crossing state borders, some double lane and high-traffic) are the responsibility of the Federal Highway Police. Canada In Canada, traffic policing on