What is the purpose of flag persons located in highways and work zones?

Flag persons play a critical role in ensuring the safety of both construction workers and the traveling public in highway and work zones. Their primary function is to manage traffic flow through areas where roadwork is taking place. This involves using flags, hand signals, or other devices to either stop vehicles, slow them down, or guide them safely around obstacles.

In construction zones, conditions can change rapidly, and flag persons are trained to communicate effectively with drivers, providing clear instructions to navigate through potentially hazardous environments. By directing traffic appropriately, they help prevent accidents, reduce congestion, and maintain safety for everyone involved. This essential function goes beyond simply holding a flag; it encompasses anticipating traffic patterns and responding dynamically to the flow of vehicles.

Other options are focused on specific roles that do not encompass the broad responsibility of flag persons in a work zone context. For instance, monitoring speed limits or collecting tolls pertain to other types of regulatory roles rather than the immediate safety management that flag persons provide at construction sites.