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Do construction workers have the force of law when directing traffic?
A building is being constructed on my way to work. Frequently a construction worker will walk out into the street and stop traffic while they maneuver a cement truck or other truck to/from the work site. Sometimes they hold up traffic for a fairly long time while they jockey a truck often making me and others late for work.
Are these guys vested with the force of law when they do this? Do drivers have to obey them? Suppose a car honks and works his way through. Has he broken any laws?
To Kenneth C and others:
The construction is not highway related construction or associated with it. This construction is totally on private property. Are you saying that these private construction guys have the same force of law as vested in highway construction workers? Why would drivers not be able to proceed if it is safe to do so despite the desires of the traffic directing construction worker? Seems to me that these guys often abuse the courtesy that the stopped drivers extend.
This is not difficult. I am not talking about a flagman. I'm talking about a construction worker in jeans and a work shirt who walks out into the street and stops traffic.
KC V: I think you are wrong, but can you support your answer by citing an applicable statute that would be violated? I can't see how the construction worker would be different than if my wife walked out into the street and stopped traffic so I could get out of my driveway. What authority does she have to do this? So what authority does the construction worker have?
5 Answers
- Big Daddy RLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
I honestly don't know but i suspect that it is more of a safety issue. Also if a cop is near by fines for reckless driving and alike are doubled in construction zones. Also if you or others do this to often they can call the cops to come and help with traffic during busy times
My advice is find a different route and if one does not exist leave earlier until the the construction is done
- NickyNawlinsLv 61 decade ago
They don't have the right by Law but they are doing it for your own safety and others. They have to stop traffic to direct the truck out. It is very hard to back up a big truck so to make sure nobody gets hurt they stop traffic.
It would be a very stupid thing to do if a drivers didn't pay attention to the construction worker. Just leave a lil earlier from home to make sure u get to work on time. My husband drives a big truck and he says they have several blind spots.
- Kenneth CLv 61 decade ago
When there is road construction, I suggest you leave for work earlier.
If many areas, if it is a construction zone, you are legally required to obey the directions of the workers. Failure to do so can result in fines/arrest. If I observed you honk your horn and work your way through traffic, I'd probably arrest you.
Here is the law on the subject. There are several others that also apply. But this is the best one for the question asked:
304.585. 1. A person shall be deemed to commit the offense of "endangerment of a highway worker" upon conviction for any of the following when the offense occurs within a construction zone or work zone, as defined in section 304.580:
**********(3) Failure to stop for a work zone flagman or failure to obey traffic control devices erected in the construction zone or work zone for purposes of controlling the flow of motor vehicles through the zone; *********************
Source(s): Me Police Officer - KC V ™Lv 71 decade ago
Well ... in a sense they do! If you fail to obey their instructions...you've violated the traffic laws! They get your tag number and can file a complaint.
Often times, in major construction zones...the police are not far and just a radio call away!
I'd hate to be in a long line of cars where the guy is holding up a stop sign....disobey him/her...and have a head-on collision!
Source(s): Police Officer +30 years - How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- 6 years ago
I am a construction worker. We have to have various permits to do our job. One of our permits allows us to manage, direct and temporarily stop traffic for construction purposes. We can t shut a road down but you do have to stop for us. They are supposed to have proper equipment though. We have flags, vests and signs.
