Rules of the road
Lesson 3 · Sharing the road

What do you do when a flagger holds a STOP sign?

Short answer

Stop and wait. Go slowly only when the flagger turns the paddle to SLOW or waves you through.

Watch it play out

How to do it

  1. Slow down when you see orange work zone signs.
  2. Stop where the flagger tells you to.
  3. Wait for the paddle to turn to SLOW.
  4. Drive slowly through, following the cones and watching for workers.

Why the rule works this way

With one lane closed, traffic has to take turns through the open lane. The flagger can see both ends; you cannot.

Common mistakes

  • Following the car ahead through without looking at the flagger.
  • Speeding up once you pass the cones while workers are still nearby.
State differencesMany states double fines for speeding in work zones when workers are present.
In VirginiaSpeeding in a posted work zone with workers present can cost up to $500. Holding a phone in a work zone is a mandatory $250 fine. See all Virginia rules

Questions people ask

Do flaggers outrank traffic lights?

Yes. Follow a flagger or police officer directing traffic, even if the signal says something else.