You are in the left lane and see this sign in a work zone. What does it require of you?
-
A.
Signal, match traffic speed in the right lane, and merge right before the taper. Correct
-
B.
Stop at the taper and wait for a gap in traffic before merging.
-
C.
Race to the taper and cut in ahead of continuing traffic.
-
D.
Stay in the left lane; traffic in the right lane must yield to you.
The answer is "Signal, match traffic speed in the right lane, and merge right before the taper."
In a work-zone lane closure, the driver in the ending lane signals, matches the speed of the through lane, and merges right well before the taper. Racing to the taper and cutting in ahead of continuing traffic tempts drivers who treat the closure as a chance to gain position, the aggressive habit this advance warning is placed to prevent.
The traps in the wrong answers
B. Stop at the taper and wait for a gap in traffic before merging.
The sign calls for an active merge at through-lane speed, not a stopped wait at the point where the lanes join. This answer applies the stop-sign habit of halting at the line, treating the taper as a stop bar rather than a rolling merge point where the ending lane runs out.
C. Race to the taper and cut in ahead of continuing traffic.
The sign asks for a merge matched to through-lane speed, not a sprint to reach the closure point and force a gap. This answer reads the closure as an invitation to race ahead and force a gap at the cone, applying the aggressive-merge habit some drivers use to gain position in congestion.
D. Stay in the left lane; traffic in the right lane must yield to you.
The sign puts the merge on the ending lane, not on the lane that continues through the work zone. This answer borrows the through-traffic-has-priority rule from mainline junctions, forgetting that in a work-zone lane closure the ending lane is the one required to yield.
This question tests your knowledge of Construction Signs on the roads of every US state . Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign CW4-2L (Lane Ends Merge Right (Work Zone))..
Related questions
- What does this Be Prepared To Stop sign require of a driver approaching it? →
- This orange diamond sign warns of a bump in a work zone. What should you do? →
- You approach this orange chevron sign posted through a work zone. What does it require of you as a driver? →
- What does this Detour Ahead sign tell a driver about the road ahead? →
- You pass a Flagger Ahead sign and enter the work zone. A flagger in the zone waves you through the intersection while the traffic light ahead shows red. What are you required to do? →