A 3-minute lesson from the Idaho course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Work zones are hazardous for both workers and drivers: uneven pavement, narrow lanes, heavy equipment, and gravel. Crews may be just inches from traffic, day and night. Orange signs, cones, drums, barricades, and flashing arrow panels mark these areas.
Know the rule
In work zones, warning signs are orange and black; regulatory signs are black and white or red and white.
Obey any direction from a school safety patrol. Patrol members wear a badge, clothing, or insignia marked 'School Patrol' and display STOP or other signs where children cross.
Barricades close lanes or roads. Red and white barricades are permanent; orange and white are temporary. Both colors give the same instructions, and some have flashing lights, especially at night.
A 'Road Closed to Thru Traffic' sign blocks your shortcut, but you live on that street. You may drive in to reach your home. You may not use the work zone as a route through to the other side.
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.
'Road Closed' signs in a work zone mean the area:
cannot be entered except by authorized personnel
may be entered if no workers are visible
requires a permit fee to enter
is open to local traffic only
Answer: cannot be entered except by authorized personnel
Only authorized personnel may enter a fully closed work zone.
