Navigating Through Roadworks

Spotting Roadworks Early

Good planning starts before you reach the roadworks. Look well ahead for temporary signs, cones, barriers, traffic lights and changes to the normal road layout.

The earlier you identify what’s happening, the more time you have to reduce your speed, choose the correct lane and make any necessary observations.

Temporary Signs and Speed Limits

Roadworks often use temporary signs to warn you about changes ahead. These may include reduced speed limits, lane closures, temporary traffic lights, changes in direction or restrictions affecting particular vehicles.

Read the signs early rather than waiting until you reach the cones. If a temporary speed limit applies, reduce your speed smoothly and with plenty of time.

Choose Your Lane Early

Roadworks may close lanes or move traffic away from its normal position. Look ahead for signs and temporary markings that show which lanes remain open.

If you need to change lanes, check your mirrors and surrounding traffic before signalling and moving across when it is safe.

Avoid leaving your decision until the last moment. Choosing the correct lane early gives you more time and reduces the need for sudden position changes.

Temporary Road Markings

Temporary road markings may guide traffic through a different route from the normal road layout.

Look further ahead rather than concentrating only on the markings immediately in front of the car. This will help you understand where your lane is going and avoid drifting towards another lane, cones or barriers.

Driving Through Narrow Lanes

Roadworks can make lanes narrower than you’re used to. Maintain a steady position within your lane and look well ahead rather than focusing on the cones or barriers immediately beside the car.

Keep a safe clearance from cones, barriers and vehicles travelling alongside you. If the available space becomes restricted, adjust your speed so you have more time to react.

Temporary Traffic Lights

Temporary traffic lights are commonly used where roadworks reduce a road to a single lane or control traffic through a work area.

Approach at a speed that allows you to stop safely if the lights change. When waiting, position your vehicle appropriately and don’t move simply because another vehicle appears to be coming through from the opposite direction.

Wait for the signal controlling your direction before proceeding.

Changes in the Road Surface

Roadworks can create uneven surfaces, temporary ramps, loose material, raised ironworks or changes in grip.

Look ahead for warning signs and changes in the road surface. Reduce your speed when necessary and avoid sudden steering, braking or acceleration over poor surfaces.

Watch for Road Workers

Remember that roadworks are also a workplace. People may be working close to moving traffic, operating machinery or entering and leaving the work area.

Keep your speed appropriate, leave safe clearance and be prepared for the situation ahead to change.

Don’t Follow the Vehicle in Front Blindly

It’s easy to concentrate on the vehicle ahead and simply follow it through roadworks. You still need to read the signs, markings and traffic signals for yourself.

Keep a safe following distance so you can see more of the road ahead and have enough time to respond if traffic suddenly slows or stops.

Common Learner Problems

Roadworks can feel complicated because several things may change at once. Common learner problems include:

• Not noticing temporary signs early enough.
• Failing to reduce speed when conditions become more restricted.
• Choosing the correct lane too late.
• Changing lanes without making effective observations.
• Following the normal road markings instead of the temporary layout.
• Driving too close to cones or barriers.
• Focusing on the vehicle ahead instead of reading the road.
• Following another vehicle through temporary traffic lights without checking the signal.
• Driving too quickly over an uneven or temporary road surface.
• Forgetting that road workers may be close to moving traffic.

Remember: Look ahead → Read the signs → Reduce your speed → Choose your lane early → Increase awareness.

Watch the Navigating Through Roadworks Video

Practise Between Your Driving Lessons

When you’re travelling as a passenger through roadworks, look ahead and see how early you can identify temporary signs, speed limits, lane changes and traffic controls.

Ask yourself: what has changed, where should I position the car, and what would I do next? You can then practise dealing with roadworks during private practice with an appropriate supervising driver between your professional driving lessons.