Flagger and Temporary Signal Conflict in a Night Work Zone
At 10:15 p.m. on a Thursday, you are eastbound on Kalanianaole Highway near Hawaii Kai. A night paving crew has closed the right lane. You pass an orange diamond sign reading ROAD WORK AHEAD, then a rectangular orange sign reading RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD, then a line of orange drums tapering your lane to the left. At the taper, a flagger in a high-visibility vest holds a paddle reading SLOW on one side and STOP on the other. The paddle is turned so you see SLOW, but the flagger is also holding up an open palm toward your lane. Beyond the flagger, a temporary traffic signal shows a green ball for your direction. A pilot car is not visible. The flagger is looking directly at you and gesturing for you to stop. You must decide whether to proceed on the green or stop.
1. The temporary signal shows green, but the flagger holds up an open palm. Which control applies, and why?
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The flagger's direction applies. In a work zone, a flagger is authorized to control traffic and must be obeyed. The temporary signal may be cycling for the opposite direction, may not be synchronized with the flagger's lane release, or may be in a setup phase. An open palm facing you is a standard stop signal even if the paddle shows SLOW, because the flagger is directly gesturing to your lane. Proceeding on the green would conflict with the person controlling the work zone and could put workers or oncoming traffic at risk. Stop before the flagger, stay in your lane, and wait for a clear release-either the paddle turned to SLOW with a wave, or the palm lowered and a gesture to proceed. When released, move through the work zone slowly and without distractions.
2. What should you do if the flagger turns the paddle to STOP after you have already stopped?
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Remain stopped. The paddle turning to STOP confirms that your lane is not released. Do not creep forward, even if the temporary signal still shows green; the flagger may be allowing a pilot car, equipment, or opposing traffic through the single open lane. Keep your wheels straight and leave space from the vehicle ahead so you are not trapped. Watch the flagger, not the signal. When the paddle turns and the flagger gives a deliberate wave, proceed at a slow, steady speed. If a pilot car appears, follow it at the directed distance; do not pass it. If the flagger seems distracted, wait rather than guess.
3. List the work-zone clues that should change your driving before you reach the taper.
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Before the taper, you have several clues: the orange ROAD WORK AHEAD diamond, the orange RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD rectangular sign, the line of orange drums, the flagger, and the temporary signal. Orange means work zone. The signs give you time to merge left, slow down, and increase following distance. You should reduce speed before the taper, not at the last drum; check mirrors and blind spots; signal your lane change; and avoid distracting activities. At night, glare, workers in dark clothing, and uneven pavement add risk. The taper narrows your margin for error, so enter it centered and at a speed that lets you stop if the flagger's instruction changes.