Construction and Work Zone Signs
Construction and Work Zone Signs
Work-zone signs warn of temporary conditions created by roadwork. They are orange with black legends, and the exam tests whether you recognize temporary traffic control and obey the people directing it.
Core rules
- Orange diamond signs warn of work ahead: ROAD CONSTRUCTION AHEAD, LANE CLOSED AHEAD, FLAGGER AHEAD.
- Channelizing devices - cones, drums, and barricades - mark the temporary path; they may override the normal lane lines.
- A flagger's STOP/SLOW paddle or hand signal must be obeyed; a flagger's direction overrides permanent signs and signals.
- Work-zone speed limits are posted for the temporary condition and apply even when you see no workers, unless the sign says otherwise.
- Indiana law provides enhanced penalties for moving violations in signed work zones, so a speeding ticket there can cost more than the same ticket elsewhere.
- Work zones follow a pattern: advance warning, transition, activity area, and termination.
Worked example
You see LANE CLOSED AHEAD and a line of cones tapering your lane to the left. Traffic is heavy. The correct action is to merge early and smoothly into the open lane, not to race to the cone taper and force your way in. The sign's advance warning exists to give you room to merge; waiting until the last cone increases crash risk and can violate the temporary traffic pattern.
Traps
Orange signs are temporary and may contradict the permanent markings - follow the orange pattern. Do not assume the normal speed limit still applies inside the work zone, and never pass a flagger showing STOP because you think the road looks clear.