School Zones, Railways & Work Areas
You see this sign on a highway. What does it tell you?
- AThe right lane is closed ahead, so move into the left lane.
- BCrews are at work on the shoulder, and the lanes are open.
- CDrive on the shoulder to go around the work ahead.
- DThe shoulder ahead is soft, so do not drive on it.
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Correct answer: B. Crews are at work on the shoulder, and the lanes are open.
Why
This orange diamond warns of work on the shoulder ahead, such as maintenance or utility work. The travel lanes stay open. Slow down, stay in your lane, and watch for workers and equipment near the edge of the road. Orange signs mark temporary work zones. A SOFT SHOULDER sign is different: it warns that the shoulder surface is soft, not that people are working there.
Why the other answers are not correct
- A. A lane closure uses a lane-closed sign; this sign means the work is off the travel lanes.
- C. The work is on the shoulder, so you stay in your travel lane.
- D. A soft shoulder has its own SOFT SHOULDER sign; this sign warns of work on the shoulder.
Verified against Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 11th Edition with Revision 1 · Section 6H.22 Shoulder Work Signs (W21-5, W21-5a, and W21-5b) · p. 848
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