What should be established for any incident occurring on or near a highway?

Establishing traffic control zones for any incident occurring on or near a highway is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, these zones help ensure the safety of both emergency personnel and the public by managing the flow of traffic around the incident scene. This minimizes the risk of secondary accidents and allows emergency responders to perform their duties more effectively and efficiently.

Traffic control zones involve the strategic placement of barriers, signs, and personnel to guide vehicles safely away from the scene. These measures are essential in maintaining a clear path for emergency vehicles responding to the incident, as well as preventing motorists from inadvertently driving into a hazardous situation. Furthermore, establishing these zones can assist in facilitating a smoother operation overall by keeping regular traffic at a safe distance, thereby improving visibility and reducing congestion.

The other options, while they may be involved in various aspects of incident management, do not specifically address the immediate need to manage traffic flow, which is vital in highway incidents. Public viewing areas, roadside assistance teams, and emergency checkpoints serve other functions and may not be prioritized in the context of ensuring safety and traffic management at the scene of an incident.