Final answer:
Security guards control traffic primarily on private property or during specific events, with pedestrian safety being a key concern. They may also direct traffic during emergencies or increased vehicle flow in urban settings. Installation of traffic signals often follows incidents that highlight the need for better traffic management.
Step-by-step explanation:
A security guard may be given the authority to control traffic under certain circumstances, which are often detailed by local laws and the policies of the security guard's employer. Such scenarios might involve regulating the flow of vehicles and pedestrians within private property, such as a campus, a manufacturing plant, or during specific events requiring enhanced traffic management, like football games at a college. These guards may be responsible for ensuring pedestrian safety, especially in areas where there has been a significant increase in traffic and the associated risks that come with it. Additionally, security personnel might direct traffic at an airport security gate or involve in managing traffic during emergencies or incidents, as indicated by a bank hold-up scenario.
In an urban setting, the need for traffic control could intensify due to increased volume, as seen with the growth of businesses in a strip mall or operational changes for events. A recent installation of a traffic signal at a busy intersection can exemplify the necessity for proper traffic regulation, following concerns such as high vehicle speed, pedestrian risk, and a notable rise in traffic accidents. Sometimes, security guards could temporarily control traffic to ensure public safety until permanent solutions like traffic signals are put in place.