Work zone driving — Rhode Island Permit Test

Speeding fines are doubled in Rhode Island work zones, 24 hours a day.

Drivers who think the double fine applies just while crews are out speed through at night, when crews may still be there.

Drive within the posted construction speed limits. Note: Fines are doubled for speeding tickets issued within these designated areas twenty-four (24) hours a day.

Speed and inattention are two of the most common causes of work zone crashes.

A driver going too fast or looking at a phone cannot react when a lane suddenly shifts.

Reduce speed and pay attention. Speed and inattention are two (2) of the most common causes of work zone crashes.

Do not change lanes within a work zone; follow the directions of officers and flaggers.

Lanes in a work zone are narrow and shift without warning, so a lane change can put you into a barrel or a worker.

Pay attention to the directions given by law enforcement officers and flaggers and do not change lanes within the work zone.

In Rhode Island, flaggers have the legal authority to control traffic.

If drivers treated a flagger's sign as a suggestion, workers would be hit.

Flaggers have the legal authority to control traffic.

Most work zone crashes are rear-end collisions, so do not tailgate.

Traffic in a work zone stops suddenly, and a driver too close behind has nowhere to go.

Do not tailgate; most work zone crashes are rear-end collisions.

In a work zone, merge early and when it is safe, moving to the correct lane at first notice.

Drivers who wait until the cones force them over cut in late and cause sudden braking.

Merge early and when it is safe; motorists can help maintain traffic flow by moving to the appropriate lane at first notice.

Work zones can change hourly, so expect the unexpected each time you drive through.

A driver who expects yesterday's lane layout may steer straight into today's closed lane.

Expect the unexpected; work zones change hourly.

Besides signs, work zones use warning devices such as cones, barrels, tubes, panels, barricades, flashing arrow boards and temporary markings.

A driver who reads signs alone can miss an arrow board showing the lane is closed ahead.

Motorists should be aware of other warning devices used in the work zone such as cones, barrels, tubes, panels, barricades, flashing arrow boards, and temporary roadway markings.

When are speeding fines doubled in a Rhode Island work zone?

Day and night, 24 hours a day. Drivers who think the double fine applies just while crews are out speed through at night, when crews may still be there. Rhode Island Driver’s Manual, p.73: “Drive within the posted construction speed limits. Note: Fines are doubled for speeding tickets issued within these designated areas twenty-four (24) hours a day.”