Workers ahead sign
What the Workers ahead sign means: People are working on or beside the road ahead, so slow down and give them room.
- Group
- Roadwork signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Enforceable, and it overrides the permanent signs underneath it.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Slow to the posted work zone speed and hold it through the whole site.
- Move away from the work area within your lane where there is room to do so safely.
- Watch for people stepping out from behind plant and barriers.
- Keep the speed down until the end of roadwork sign, not until you have passed the last worker you can see.
Where you see it
Inside work zones on any road, from suburban water main repairs to long highway rebuilds.
Across the states and territories
Several jurisdictions apply a specific reduced speed for passing stationary work vehicles or workers on foot, and the number is set by each of them rather than nationally. Enforcement in work zones has increased across most jurisdictions in recent years, so the posted temporary limit is not advisory.
Tell it apart from these
- Workers aheadthis pageRoadwork ahead
One warns of the site, the other of people inside it. The presence of people is what changes the speed and the penalty.
Roadwork ahead: Work is going on in the road ahead, so slow down and watch for changed conditions.
- Workers aheadthis pageReduce speed
Reduce speed tells you to slow. Workers ahead tells you why, and the why is the part that should keep you slow.
Reduce speed: Slow down from here because of the work zone ahead.
How the knowledge tests use it
Questions focus on the fact that the work zone limit applies whether or not you can see anyone working.
What does this sign mean?
An orange diamond with a worker symbol warns that people are on foot in the work area, sometimes very close to the lane you are driving in.
State and territory driver handbooks, roadworks
Common questions
- What does the Workers ahead sign mean?
- People are working on or beside the road ahead, so slow down and give them room.
- What should you do when you see a Workers ahead sign?
- Slow to the posted work zone speed and hold it through the whole site. Move away from the work area within your lane where there is room to do so safely. Watch for people stepping out from behind plant and barriers. Keep the speed down until the end of roadwork sign, not until you have passed the last worker you can see.
- Where is the Workers ahead sign used?
- Inside work zones on any road, from suburban water main repairs to long highway rebuilds.
- What is the Workers ahead sign confused with?
- Roadwork ahead: One warns of the site, the other of people inside it. The presence of people is what changes the speed and the penalty. Reduce speed: Reduce speed tells you to slow. Workers ahead tells you why, and the why is the part that should keep you slow.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Workers ahead sign?
- Questions focus on the fact that the work zone limit applies whether or not you can see anyone working.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More roadwork signs
Orange plate with a black legend or symbol.