Work zones

By the end of this topic you can

• You can recognize a work zone from its orange signs and devices.
• You can follow the directions of a traffic control person.
• You can reduce speed and keep a safe gap through a work zone.
• You can merge correctly when a lane is closed.
• You can explain how work zone fines work in your province.

What you need to know and understand

• Work zones are marked with orange signs, cones, barrels and barriers.
• Obey posted work zone speed limits, which are often lower than normal.
• It is an offence in Ontario to disobey the STOP or SLOW sign held by a traffic control person.
• Ontario doubles fines for speeding in a construction zone when workers are present.
• Alberta doubles speeding fines when workers or a stopped roadside vehicle with flashing lights are present, even if no sign mentions it.
• Ontario's handbook advises against changing lanes inside a construction zone.
• Leave extra following distance, because traffic in work zones often stops suddenly.

Getting through a work zone, step by step

1. Watch for the first orange sign and ease off right away.
2. Read every sign; they tell you which lane is closing and how far ahead.
3. Merge early and smoothly into the open lane when told to.
4. Slow to the posted work zone limit and leave extra space ahead.
5. Stay in your lane through the zone, without passing or weaving.
6. Watch for workers, trucks entering and exiting, and uneven pavement.
7. Resume normal speed only after the sign marking the end of the zone.

Traffic control persons

A traffic control person, sometimes called a flagger, uses a hand-held sign that reads STOP on one side and SLOW on the other. Follow their directions day or night. Stop at the STOP side and wait; move slowly past on the SLOW side, following any hand directions.

Fines and penalties in two provinces

Penalties change over time, so treat these as examples and check your province before your test.

• Ontario: speeding fines in a construction zone are doubled when workers are present.
• Alberta: speeding fines are doubled when workers or a stopped roadside vehicle with flashing lights are present. Alberta also lists demerit points from 2 to 6 depending on how far over the limit you are.
• Other provinces set their own penalties; check your provincial handbook.

Common mistakes

• Waiting to see workers before slowing down. Slow at the first sign.
• Late merging and cutting in at the cone line. Merge when the signs tell you to.
• Following too closely, then braking hard when traffic stops.
• Speeding up as soon as the cones end, before the end-of-zone sign.

Test yourself: Work zones

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.