Roadwise States Maryland Driving lessons Work zones Maryland driving lesson · Driving Conditions
Work zones A 3-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Driving Conditions
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 30, 31 A work zone is an area of road with construction, maintenance or utility work, marked by signs and traffic control devices. Traffic patterns change, workers are close, and fines climb. Orange is your cue.
Work zone An area where construction, maintenance or utility work is happening. It may be temporary or long-term, and stationary (a bridge widening) or moving (pavement striping).
Handbook p. 30 ↗ Work zones can mean: New traffic patterns Temporary signs, cones, barrels, signals or markings Narrow lanes Lane shifts Lane and shoulder closures Pavement drop-offs/uneven surfaces Reduced sight distance Detours Slow equipment and construction vehicles merging back into traffic Handbook p. 30 ↗ Know the rule
Orange is the color for work zones. When you see orange signs, pay close attention and be prepared for unexpected conditions.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ Know the rule
Obey posted speed limits and expect speed cameras. Speeding fines may be much higher in work zones, and even higher if workers are present.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ Work zone safety rules: Stay alert; make safety your first priority Watch your speed Expect the unexpected, including a complete stop if traffic ahead stops Minimize distractions: no phone use, radio changes or eating Merge carefully, don't tailgate, and change lanes only if you must Obey the flagger's directions Handbook p. 31 ↗ Flagger Ahead sign Put it into practice
You enter a work zone and see flashing blue lights on a pole. Speed cameras are active. Drop to the posted work zone limit and keep it there, especially with workers nearby.
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.
What color is generally used for work zone signs? Orange Yellow Blue Green Answer: Orange
Orange is the color used for work zone signs.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ What do flashing amber/yellow lights indicate in a work zone? Active speed cameras An active zone, workers present Highway maintenance vehicles only The work zone has ended Answer: An active zone, workers present
Flashing amber/yellow lights in a work zone indicate it is active and workers may be present.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ What do flashing blue lights mean in a work zone? Workers present Highway maintenance vehicles Active speed cameras A detour ahead Answer: Active speed cameras
Flashing blue lights indicate active speed cameras in the work zone.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ What do flashing green lights typically indicate near a work zone? Active speed cameras Workers present A lane closure ahead Highway maintenance vehicles or service equipment Answer: Highway maintenance vehicles or service equipment
Flashing green lights may be found on highway maintenance vehicles or service equipment in and before work zones.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ What happens to speeding fines in a work zone compared to normal, especially with workers present? Higher, and more with workers They stay the same as elsewhere They are reduced to encourage caution They only apply to commercial trucks Answer: Higher, and more with workers
Speeding fines may be much higher in work zones and even higher if workers are present.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ You should follow closely behind the vehicle ahead of you in a work zone to keep traffic moving. True False Answer: False
You should not tailgate in a work zone; respect others by merging carefully and not following too closely.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ Previous lesson Railroad crossings Next lesson Traffic circles & interstate driving More in Driving Conditions About the source Roadwise’s Maryland course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 30, 31. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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