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Illinois driving lesson · Stops, Belts, Speed & Special Zones

Construction zones and emergency vehicles

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

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Stops, Belts, Speed & Special Zones
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
28

Work zones and emergency scenes put people on foot right next to fast traffic. Illinois law requires you to slow down, put the phone away and give workers room. Some of these rules apply 24 hours a day.

When approaching or entering a construction or maintenance (work) zone, you must:

  • Slow down
  • Stop wireless phone use unless hands-free (a single-sided headset is allowed)
  • Yield to any authorized vehicles or workers
  • Change to a lane away from the workers when possible
  • Proceed with caution
Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

Obey the posted construction zone speed limit 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether or not workers are present.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

The limit may be reduced further when workers are present. Keep a reduced speed until you are safely past any workers or authorized vehicles.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Work zone hazards to expect:

  • Narrow lanes
  • Drop-offs between lanes or at the pavement edge
  • Lane closures
  • Construction equipment or obstructions near open lanes
Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

All construction zones in Illinois are no passing zones.

Handbook p. 32 ↗

Emergency scene

A location where a stationary authorized vehicle is present with its oscillating, rotating or flashing lights activated.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

Approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle showing blue, red, amber, white or green flashing lights: yield, change to a lane away from it when possible, slow down and proceed with caution. If you can't change lanes, reduce speed.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
500 feet

Photography and wireless phone use are prohibited within this distance of an emergency scene, except in certain circumstances

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

When an emergency vehicle approaches using lights and/or siren, immediately pull to the right side of the road and let it pass. A complete stop may be necessary.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

If you're stopped at an intersection with two-way traffic, stay stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed through.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

Never drive over fire hoses unless a fire official in command of the scene permits it.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

Failing to slow down or change lanes in a construction zone, or near a stationary emergency vehicle, in a way that causes damage or injury can suspend your license. So can a second work-zone speeding violation (workers present) within two years.

Handbook p. 63 ↗

Put it into practice

At 2 a.m. you drive through a highway work zone posted at 45 mph. No workers are there. You must still drive 45 mph or less, because the construction zone limit applies 24/7.

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.

Approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights on a multi-lane road, what should you do first?
  1. Keep your lane and speed
  2. Stop in your lane until it leaves
  3. Move a lane away from it, if safe
  4. Pass it on the right shoulder

Answer: Move a lane away from it, if safe

Move over a lane if safe; otherwise slow down and proceed carefully.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
Within how many feet of an emergency scene is photography and cellphone use generally prohibited?
  1. 100 feet
  2. 250 feet
  3. 1,000 feet
  4. 500 feet

Answer: 500 feet

Illinois bans photography and cellphone use within 500 feet of an emergency scene.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
Construction zone speed limits in Illinois apply only while workers are present.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

False. Motorists must obey the posted construction zone speed limit 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether or not workers are present.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
Approaching a highway construction zone, which action does Illinois law require?
  1. Slow down; no handheld phones
  2. Move to the lane nearest the workers
  3. Keep normal speed if no workers are seen
  4. Maintain the normal speed limit

Answer: Slow down; no handheld phones

Construction zones require slowing down and ending non-hands-free cellphone use.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
A construction zone has no workers present today. Does the reduced speed limit still apply?
  1. No, the normal limit applies with no workers present
  2. Yes, it applies 24/7
  3. Only if a sign specifically says '24 hours'
  4. Only during daylight hours

Answer: Yes, it applies 24/7

The posted construction zone limit applies at all times, workers present or not.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
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