roadwise.Open study app

California driving lesson · Special Zones, Laws & Enforcement

Work zones & move over

A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Special Zones, Laws & Enforcement
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
55

Work zones squeeze traffic past people and equipment. Warning signs and message boards announce them; cones, drums and flaggers guide you through. Fines here are steep, and some are doubled.

Go through a work zone carefully by:

  • Slowing down
  • Allowing extra space between vehicles
  • Expecting sudden slowing or stopping
  • Watching for drivers changing lanes
  • Avoiding distractions
Handbook p. 55 ↗

Know the rule

Cones, drums, or other barriers guide you through the work zone. Merge as soon as it is safe without crossing the cones or drums.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

Know the rule

Prepare to slow down or stop for highway equipment, watch for bicycles if lanes are narrow or the shoulder is closed, and obey special signs or instructions from workers such as flaggers.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
Flagger ahead
Flagger ahead (orange construction sign)
$1,000+

Fines for traffic violations in a work zone can be this much or more

Handbook p. 55 ↗
$2,000 / 1 yr

Assaulting a highway worker: fine up to $2,000 and up to one year in prison

Handbook p. 55 ↗

Safety Enhanced-Double Fine Zone

A road chosen because of increased collision-related injuries and fatalities. Fines are doubled in these zones.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

Know the rule

Fines are also doubled in highway construction or maintenance zones when workers are present.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

You must move over and slow down for:

  • Stationary emergency vehicles or tow trucks displaying flashing amber warning lights
  • Stopped road work vehicles displaying emergency flashing or amber warning lights
Handbook p. 55 ↗

Put it into practice

On the freeway you see a tow truck on the right shoulder with amber lights flashing. If you can safely change lanes, move over one lane; if not, slow down as you pass.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

About how much can a traffic fine be in a highway work zone?
  1. $100 or more
  2. $5,000 or more
  3. $1,000 or more
  4. $250 or more

Answer: $1,000 or more

Fines for traffic violations in a work zone can be $1,000 or more.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
What can happen to fines in a Safety Enhanced-Double Fine Zone?
  1. They are tripled
  2. They increase by $500
  3. They increase by 50%
  4. They are doubled

Answer: They are doubled

Certain roads with increased collision risk are designated Double Fine Zones where fines are doubled.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
What is a possible penalty for assaulting a highway worker in a work zone?
  1. Up to $1,000 and six months in jail
  2. Up to $2,000 and one year in jail
  3. Up to $500 and 30 days in jail
  4. Up to $10,000 and five years in prison

Answer: Up to $2,000 and one year in jail

Assaulting a highway worker can bring fines up to $2,000 and imprisonment up to one year.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
What must drivers do for stationary emergency or tow vehicles displaying amber warning lights?
  1. Stop completely until it leaves
  2. Move over and slow down
  3. Keep your lane and speed
  4. Speed up to pass quickly

Answer: Move over and slow down

Drivers must move over and slow down for stationary emergency or road work vehicles with amber warning lights.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
Fines are also doubled in highway construction or maintenance zones when workers are present.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Fines double in construction/maintenance zones when workers are present, in addition to designated double-fine roads.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Special Zones, Laws & Enforcement

All California lessons