Driver's License Test Prep
US Road Signs Construction Signs

This orange diamond sign warns of a bump in a work zone. What should you do?

Orange diamond with the black word BUMP centered in large letters.
  1. A.
    Slow down before reaching the bump. Correct
  2. B.
    Come to a complete stop before the patched pavement.
  3. C.
    Change lanes to avoid the raised pavement.
  4. D.
    Maintain speed to cross the bump smoothly.
The Why

The answer is "Slow down before reaching the bump."

The sign warns that a short, abrupt rise lies ahead in the construction area, and the safest response is to slow down before you reach it so the vehicle stays stable and cargo, suspension, and following traffic aren't jolted. Drivers who trust the road habit that a bit of momentum floats a small bump, and so try to hold speed to cross it smoothly, are the ones who miss the sign's slow-down instruction.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

B. Come to a complete stop before the patched pavement.

Warning diamonds do not call for a halt; the sign asks you to reduce speed, not bring the vehicle to zero. This answer reads the orange diamond as if it carried the same command as a red octagon.

C. Change lanes to avoid the raised pavement.

The sign warns of a bump ahead but never directs traffic out of the lane it is in. This answer borrows the response taught for a lane-closure taper and applies it to a pavement-condition warning.

D. Maintain speed to cross the bump smoothly.

Holding speed defeats the sign's purpose, which is to protect the vehicle and following traffic from a sudden jolt. This answer trusts the road habit that momentum floats a bump, ignoring the sign's slow-down instruction.

The Rule

This question tests your knowledge of Construction Signs on the roads of every US state . Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign CW8-1 (Bump (Work Zone))..

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