A 3-minute lesson from the New York course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Work zones are dangerous to drive through and to work in. Lanes can shift or close, workers and equipment can be right beside you, and you may need to slow down fast. That's why New York doubles speeding fines in work zones.
Know the rule
Speeding fines double in work zones, even when workers or work vehicles aren't present.
Orange diamond-shaped "work zone" warning signs often come before construction and other work that can change traffic flow. One may read "flagger ahead."
A worker who signals you to stop, proceed with caution or change lanes. A flagger has the same authority as a sign, and you can be ticketed for disobeying one.
Some work zones move, such as line painting, road patching or mowing. Their size and location change as work progresses, and workers can be close even if you don't see them right after the warning signs.
A sign says "Left lane closed ahead." Traffic in the left lane is still moving fast toward the merge point. Move right at the first safe chance instead of racing to the end of the closed lane. It's calmer, more efficient and safer.
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.
A posted work zone speed limit is unusually low. What is the lowest speed that can be posted in a work zone?
15 MPH
25 MPH
35 MPH
45 MPH
Answer: 25 MPH
A work area speed limit as low as 25 MPH can be posted; even with no posted limit you must slow down in a work zone.