How should you approach a construction zone?

• A. Slow down, follow posted signs and flagger directions, and stay alert.
• B. Speed through to minimize delays.
• C. Stop and wait for the zone to clear.
• D. Increase speed to reduce time in zone.

Answer: (A)

Approaching a construction zone requires slowing down, following posted signs and flagger directions, and staying alert. Construction work creates sudden changes—narrower lanes, changed traffic patterns, workers near the roadway, and debris or equipment on the surface—so reducing speed gives you more time to notice hazards, react, and avoid a collision. Adhering to the posted speed limits and any temporary reductions helps keep traffic flowing safely and protects the people working on or beside the road. Flaggers may direct you to stop, slow, or merge; their guidance is there to manage traffic through the complex, dynamic setup, so follow their signals promptly. Staying alert means scanning for warning signs, lane shifts, pedestrians, and sudden stops or changes in traffic.

Rushing through a zone, stopping without need, or flooring it to “save time” increases risk for you and others and can lead to fines or more serious crashes.