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Kentucky driving lesson · Traffic Control & Signs

Work zone signs & devices

A 2-minute lesson from the Kentucky 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
2 minutes
Course unit
Traffic Control & Signs
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
43, 44

Orange means a work zone. Construction, maintenance and emergency-operation signs—generally diamond or rectangular, orange with black letters or symbols—warn that people are working on or near the road.

Road construction ahead
Road Construction Ahead

Work zone signs warn of:

  • Workers ahead
  • Reduced speed
  • Detours
  • Slow-moving construction equipment
  • Poor or suddenly changing road surfaces
Handbook p. 43 ↗

Know the rule

Traffic may be controlled by a person with a sign or flag telling you which way to go, to slow down or to stop. You must follow their instructions.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
Channelizing devices (tube/barrel/cone) composite
Tube, barrel and cone

Know the rule

Barriers—drums, cones and tubes (panels)—keep traffic out of hazardous work areas and closed roads and, with signs and markings, guide you through.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Know the rule

Temporary traffic signals may be used in work zones, and a warning sign may show a traffic-signal symbol. Stop at the white line if there is one.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Know the rule

Give construction workers a 'brake': reduce speed, be prepared to stop suddenly and don't tailgate. Fines for speeding in a work zone are doubled.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
One lane road ahead
One Lane Road Ahead

Put it into practice

Traffic narrows to one lane and a flagger holds up a STOP sign even though the lane ahead looks empty. Stop and wait—you must follow the flagger's instructions.

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.

Work zone signs are generally what shape and color?
  1. Diamond or rectangular, orange with black letters
  2. Octagonal, red with white letters
  3. Round, yellow with red letters
  4. Diamond or rectangular, yellow with black letters

Answer: Diamond or rectangular, orange with black letters

Work zone signs are generally diamond or rectangular shaped and orange with black letters or symbols.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
Besides reducing speed and being ready to stop, what does the manual tell you NOT to do in a work zone?
  1. Follow a flagger's directions
  2. Tailgate the vehicle ahead
  3. Use your low-beam headlights
  4. Stay in your marked lane

Answer: Tailgate the vehicle ahead

The manual says to give workers a 'brake': reduce speed, be prepared to stop suddenly, and do not tailgate in work zones.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
In a work zone with a temporary traffic signal, if a white line is present you should:
  1. Stop at the white line
  2. Ignore the line and follow the signal only
  3. Stop 50 feet before the line
  4. Proceed unless a worker waves you through

Answer: Stop at the white line

Temporary traffic signals may be used in work zones; stop at the white line if one is present.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
Barriers such as drums, cones, and tubes in a work zone are used to:
  1. Show where to merge only at night
  2. Mark lanes for slow vehicles
  3. Keep traffic out of hazardous areas
  4. Indicate a detour is optional

Answer: Keep traffic out of hazardous areas

Barriers like drums, cones, and tubes keep traffic out of hazardous work zones.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
Barriers like cones and drums in work zones may be used to keep drivers out of closed roads or dangerous areas.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Barriers may keep drivers from entering closed roads or other areas where it is dangerous to drive.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
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