Final answer:
SPC Austen violated laws and regulations by not carrying the required shipping papers for transporting ammunition, a hazardous material, which is a severe oversight, especially given the resulting traffic incident.
Step-by-step explanation:
SPC Austen committed a serious violation by failing to carry the necessary shipping papers required for the transportation of ammunition. Ammunition is a hazardous material, and according to regulations, it requires proper documentation to be transported. This documentation is crucial not only for legal compliance but also for the safety of the transporter and the general public. Shipping papers serve multiple purposes, including providing emergency response information in the event of an accident, which is specifically applicable in the scenario described where SPC Austen was involved in a traffic incident.