New York DMV Permit Written TestRules of the Road and Traffic LawsMedium
You are driving on a multi-lane highway and encounter a construction zone. There are no workers present, but signs indicate a reduced speed limit of 45 mph. What is the maximum speed you should drive?
- A65 mph, the standard highway speed.
- B55 mph, as no workers are present.
- C35 mph, always slower than posted in construction.
- D45 mph, as posted.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 45 mph, as posted.
New York State law requires drivers to obey all posted speed limits in construction zones, whether workers are present or not. The presence of signs indicates ongoing work or potential hazards.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Standard highway speed limits do not apply in posted construction zones.
- B. Ignoring posted speed limits in construction zones is illegal and dangerous, regardless of worker presence.
- C. While caution is advised, driving below the posted limit is not a legal requirement unless conditions warrant it.
Construction Zone Speed Limits
Drivers must obey all posted speed limits within a construction zone, regardless of whether workers are actively present.
- Reduced speed limits are for safety.
- Applies even if no workers are visible.
- Fines are often doubled in work zones.
Memory trick: Orange cones mean slow down, even if no one's around.