Tennessee driving lesson · Speed, Space & Stopping
Highway work zones
A 3-minute lesson from the Tennessee course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Work zones change constantly and put workers just a few feet from your car. Nationally the work-zone death rate approaches two per day and about 40,000 people are hurt each year. Most crashes there are rear-end collisions — so slow down, stay alert and leave space.
Highway work zone
Any stretch where construction, maintenance or utility work (even tree trimming or surveying) is done. Look for orange signs and devices, flashing lights and workers in orange or yellow-green.
All temporary work zone signs are orange with black letters, on the right side (both sides on a divided highway), telling you what's ahead and how far.
A 'Right Lane Closed 1 Mile' sign appears. Don't race to the front and squeeze in at the cone — merge left now, while there's room. Once in the zone, stay in your lane and keep your speed at the posted work zone limit until 'End Road Work.'
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.
Speed violations in a highway work zone where workers are present can result in a fine of up to:
$50
$5,000
$500
There is no special fine for work zones
Answer: $500
Speed violations in active work zones with DOT or construction workers present can bring a fine up to $500.