Driver's License Test Prep
US Road Signs Construction Signs

What does this orange diamond warning sign tell you about the road ahead?

Orange diamond with black border and black text reading ONE LANE ROAD 1000 FT.
  1. A.
    One lane about 1,000 feet ahead shared by traffic in both directions. Correct
  2. B.
    Two lanes merge into one in your direction of travel ahead.
  3. C.
    The road is closed to through traffic 1,000 feet ahead.
  4. D.
    A one-way street begins 1,000 feet ahead.
The Why

The answer is "One lane about 1,000 feet ahead shared by traffic in both directions."

The sign warns that about 1,000 feet ahead the road narrows to one lane that both directions of traffic must share, so you slow down and prepare to yield to oncoming vehicles or a flagger. The trap is the choice that reads it as a lane-drop merge; a merge sign shows two same-direction lanes joining into one, while this sign specifically warns of two-way traffic sharing a single lane.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

B. Two lanes merge into one in your direction of travel ahead.

A same-direction lane drop is shown by a different diamond, not by a one-lane sign warning of two-way traffic on the same stretch. This answer confuses the alternating one-lane warning with a same-direction lane drop learned from a merge sign.

C. The road is closed to through traffic 1,000 feet ahead.

The roadway is narrowed to one shared lane, not closed; through traffic still passes by taking turns with oncoming vehicles. This answer reads narrows as closed because the picture shows only one lane and skips over the alternating-traffic detail.

D. A one-way street begins 1,000 feet ahead.

A shared lane with two-way alternating traffic is not a one-way street; drivers still meet oncoming vehicles and must yield. This answer assumes one lane means one-way and misses that oncoming vehicles still use the same stretch of road.

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 CW20-4 (One Lane Road 1000 Ft)..

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