Driving Through Work Zones
Hundreds of people die in highway work zone crashes every year. Most of them are drivers and passengers, not road workers. Lane shifts, narrow lanes, sudden stops and workers just feet from traffic demand your full attention.
- All drivers
- Road crews
Photo: driver’s view of a work zone with a flagger holding a SLOW paddle and cones shifting the lane
What to do
- Slow down to the posted work zone speed. Fines are higher in work zones in most states, and some use speed cameras.
- Put the phone down. Many states ban handheld phone use in work zones.
- Merge early when signs warn of a lane closure in light traffic, or zipper merge in heavy traffic as directed. See Highway Driving.
- Leave extra following distance. Rear-end crashes are the most common work zone crash.
- Follow flaggers. A flagger’s STOP/SLOW paddle has the same force as a traffic sign.
- Watch for workers and equipment entering and leaving the road.
- Stay in your lane; don’t change lanes in the work area.
Signs to know
- Orange diamond signs warn of work ahead.
- “End Road Work” means you’ve left the zone.
- Arrow boards on trucks show which way to merge.
- Moving work zones (like line painting or mowing) may have no cones at all, just trucks with flashing lights.
Night work zones
Much road work happens at night to avoid traffic. Workers in hi-vis may be close to your lane. Slow down even more, and dim your high beams. See Night Driving.
Why it matters
Road workers do their jobs inches from traffic, protected only by cones, barrels and your attention. A moment of distraction can kill a flagger or a laborer, or put you into a barrier. See Highway Work Zones (for workers) and Road Construction.
Standards & references
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