4.5 Work Zone Safety, Flaggers & Speed Cameras
Key Takeaways
Orange is the work-zone color; orange signs mean pay close attention and expect unexpected conditions ahead.
Flashing amber or yellow lights mean an active work zone with workers present; flashing blue lights mean speed cameras are active; flashing green lights mark highway maintenance vehicles.
Obey the flagger's directions, merge carefully, do not tailgate, and change lanes only if you have to.
Maryland work-zone cameras record vehicles going at least 12 mph over the work-zone limit, and the civil penalty is doubled when workers are present.
Minimize distractions in work zones: avoid using cell phones, changing radio stations and eating.
What a Work Zone Is
A work zone is an area of road where construction, maintenance or utility work is happening, usually marked by signs and traffic control devices. Traffic flow may be disrupted, and workers, vehicles and equipment may be nearby. Work zones may be stationary, such as a bridge being widened, or moving, such as a slow pavement-striping crew. They can be temporary or long-term.
What to Expect
The manual lists conditions you may meet:
- New traffic patterns.
- Temporary traffic control devices: signs, cones, barrels, signals or pavement markings.
- Narrow lanes, lane shifts, and lane and shoulder closures.
- Pavement drop-offs and uneven surfaces.
- Reduced sight distance.
- Detours.
- Slow-moving equipment and construction vehicles merging back into traffic.
Orange is the color for work zones. When you see orange signs, pay close attention and be prepared for unexpected conditions.
The Manual's Work-Zone Safety Rules
| Rule | What to do |
|---|---|
| Stay alert | Make safety your first priority. |
| Flashing lights mean workers are present | Obey work-zone signs, slow down and watch for workers. |
| Watch your speed | Obey posted limits; there may be speed cameras, and fines can be much higher in work zones, and higher still when workers are present. |
| Expect the unexpected | Conditions change constantly; be ready to come to a complete stop if traffic ahead stops. |
| Minimize distractions | Avoid cell phones, changing radio stations, eating and other distractions. |
| Respect others | Merge carefully, do not tailgate, and do not change lanes unless you have to. |
| Obey the flagger | Follow the flagger's STOP/SLOW paddle and hand directions. |
Follow the cones, barrels and temporary markings through the zone, even where they disagree with the old lane lines.
Lights in Work Zones
| Flashing light color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Amber or yellow | Active work zone; workers are present |
| Blue | Active speed cameras |
| Green | Highway maintenance vehicles or service equipment in and before work zones |
Work Zone Speed Cameras
Maryland law (Transportation Article § 21-810) authorizes work-zone speed control systems. They record vehicles traveling at least 12 mph over the posted work-zone limit, generally on highways with a pre-work-zone limit of 45 mph or higher. Each camera vehicle displays flashing blue lights. The maximum civil penalties are:
| Speed over the work-zone limit | Maximum civil penalty |
|---|---|
| 12 to 15 mph | $60 |
| 16 to 19 mph | $80 |
| 20 to 29 mph | $140 |
| 30 to 39 mph | $270 |
| 40 mph or more | $500 |
When the violation is recorded while workers are present, the penalty is doubled. A camera citation is a civil penalty, not a moving violation, so it carries no points. If an officer stops you instead, the normal speeding fine and points apply.
Reading a Flagger
Flaggers wear high-visibility clothing and usually hold a STOP/SLOW paddle:
| Flagger signal | Your action |
|---|---|
| STOP side of the paddle facing you, or an arm held out with palm toward you | Stop at the flagger or the stop line and wait |
| SLOW side of the paddle facing you | Proceed slowly and carefully, ready to stop |
| Arm waving you forward | Proceed through the zone at the work-zone speed |
Give flaggers plenty of room, never drive around them, and do not proceed until they direct you. In a one-lane section with a flagger at each end, traffic from both directions takes turns, so expect to wait.
Moving and Night Work Zones
Some work zones move, such as line-painting, pothole patching or mowing crews. They may have a truck at the back with a large flashing arrow board; merge in the direction of the arrow well before you reach the truck. Night work zones are lit by bright lights that can cause glare. Slow down, use low beams, and watch for workers in reflective vests moving between equipment.
Work-Zone Signs to Recognize
The manual's warning-sign charts include Flagger Ahead, Roadwork Ahead, Detour, Begin Work Zone, End Active Work Zone and Work Zone Active When Flashing (increased fines). Remember the Move Over law too: if a work vehicle or other vehicle is stopped on the shoulder with flashing lights, move to a lane not next to it, or slow down if you cannot (see Section 6.4).
Scenario Practice
- You see flashing blue lights on a vehicle at the start of a work zone. Speed cameras are active; drive at or below the posted work-zone limit.
- A flagger holds a STOP paddle, and traffic ahead has stopped. Stop and wait until the flagger directs you to go.
- The lane shifts left onto temporary pavement with an uneven edge. Slow down, follow the cones and keep both hands on the wheel.
- Flashing amber lights and workers beside the lane. Workers are present; slow down and leave as much space as you can.
In a Maryland work zone, what do flashing blue lights mean?
Workers are present
Speed cameras are active
Highway maintenance vehicles are ahead
A police officer is directing traffic
A Maryland work-zone speed camera records a driver going 22 mph over the work-zone limit while workers are present. How is the civil penalty affected?
It is doubled
The driver receives points instead of a fine
Nothing changes, because worker presence only matters when a police officer stops you
The penalty is waived for a first offense
Which behavior does the manual recommend in a work zone?
Change lanes often to find the fastest lane
Use the shoulder to pass slow equipment
Merge carefully, do not tailgate, and change lanes only when you have to
Speed up through narrow sections to clear them quickly
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.