Night Roadworks: Flagman, Temporary Markings and a Cyclist
A driver is travelling on a rural road at night. Ahead, roadworks have closed the left lane. There is a temporary 'Road Works' sign, a flashing amber arrow board pointing traffic to the right, a flagman in a high-visibility vest waving a red light, and a permanent 'No Overtaking' sign that was installed before the works. The road markings include a broken white centre line that has been partially covered by a temporary solid yellow line. The driver sees an oncoming vehicle with headlights on, about 150 metres away, and a cyclist ahead in the left lane. The driver wants to pass the cyclist and the roadworks quickly. The speed limit is 50 km/h, but the driver is doing 60 km/h.
1. Which signs and signals must the driver obey, and in what order? Explain how the temporary markings and the flagman interact with the permanent sign.
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The flagman's red light is a direct traffic control and must be obeyed immediately; it overrides signs and markings. The temporary 'Road Works' sign and the flashing amber arrow board direct traffic to the right and warn of the lane closure. Temporary signs and markings take precedence over permanent ones during the works, so the temporary solid yellow line means do not cross. The permanent 'No Overtaking' sign still applies unless a temporary sign expressly supersedes it, and the flagman's stop signal makes the point moot: the driver must stop. The order is: flagman first, then temporary signs and markings, then the permanent sign.
2. What should the driver do about the cyclist and the oncoming vehicle?
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The driver must slow down and stop if the flagman signals. The cyclist is in the closed left lane, and the oncoming vehicle is only about 150 metres away. Passing the cyclist would require crossing the temporary solid yellow line and moving into the path of the oncoming vehicle. The driver should hold back, keep a safe distance from the cyclist, and wait until the flagman waves traffic through and the oncoming lane is clear. The driver should not try to squeeze past the cyclist or use the oncoming lane to save time.
3. What are the consequences of the driver's speed and any failure to obey the flagman?
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At 60 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, the driver is speeding. In roadworks with workers present at night, that is aggravated. Failing to obey a flagman is a separate offence and is dangerous because the flagman is managing a live lane closure. If the driver passes the red light and collides with the cyclist or oncoming vehicle, the speed and disobedience will be central to liability. The correct speed is at or below 50 km/h, and lower still because of the wet or dark conditions, the cyclist and the works.