Construction and work zone signs (orange devices, flaggers, temporary traffic control)
Work-zone signs and devices are temporary traffic control. Delaware's exam tests whether you recognize orange as the work-zone color, obey a flagger as a traffic control device, and adjust for narrowed lanes, shifted lanes, and workers close to traffic.
Core rules
- Orange marks construction, maintenance, and temporary traffic control. Devices include cones, drums, barricades, arrow boards, and temporary signs.
- Temporary traffic control generally runs from an advance-warning area through a transition, the activity area, and a termination area. Reduce speed at the first warning sign, not at the cone taper.
- Flagger: a flagger with a STOP/SLOW paddle has the authority of a traffic control device. Treat STOP as a stop sign and proceed only on SLOW. A flagger's direction overrides the normal signal or sign at that location.
- Fines and speed: Delaware doubles fines for many moving violations in posted work zones, and speed limits may be reduced even when workers are not visible.
- Space and lanes: do not tailgate, do not change lanes inside the taper, and watch for workers, equipment, and uneven pavement.
Worked example
A flagger holds a STOP paddle on a two-lane road. The permanent traffic light farther ahead is green, but the flagger controls your lane now. Stop and wait. When the flagger turns the paddle to SLOW, proceed cautiously, even though the light is still green. The flagger's instruction governs the temporary condition.
Traps that cost marks
Orange is not a permanent warning color; a yellow diamond is. A flagger is not a suggestion. Do not follow the car ahead blindly through a work zone, and do not assume the normal speed limit still applies. A "Road Work Ahead" sign does not mean the road is closed, and a detour sign is not a warning of a curve.
Key points
- Orange means construction and temporary traffic control.
- Treat a flagger's STOP paddle as a stop sign.
- A flagger's direction overrides the normal signal.
- Delaware doubles fines for many moving violations in work zones.
- Slow down at the first warning sign, not at the cones.
- Do not change lanes inside a taper or tailgate through a work zone.