A 3-minute lesson from the Vermont course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
A work zone is any stretch of highway with construction, maintenance or utility work. It may be stationary, or it may move slowly, as with line striping, mowing and snow removal. Many crashes happen before the work area, where drivers are slowing and merging.
Know the rule
Most work zone crashes are rear-end crashes caused by driving too fast for conditions and not keeping a safe following distance. Stopped traffic may be hidden around a curve or over a hill.
Flashing arrow panels guide you into the correct lane. In "caution" mode they show a straight line of blinking lights, or blinking corner lights. Slow down when you see caution mode.
Temporary markings: white separates lanes going the same direction, and yellow separates opposite directions. The yellow should be on your left; if it isn't, you're in the wrong lane.
At 10 p.m. you reach a lane closure with no workers in sight. The reduced work zone limit still applies, since the rules are 24/7. Merge early when the arrow panel directs you, keep 4 seconds back, and don't change lanes inside the zone.
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.
In a temporary work zone, which color pavement marking should be on your left if you're in the correct lane?
White
Orange
Blue
Yellow
Answer: Yellow
In work zones, yellow markings separate opposite-direction lanes and should be on your left if you're correct.
