Roadworks & changing conditions

Roadworks: slowly and alert

Roadworks are announced by the «roadworks» warning sign, often combined with reduced speed limits and an overtaking ban.

Temporary limits apply exactly like permanent ones. Expect narrowed lanes, machinery moving in and out, and staff standing centimetres from moving traffic: an appropriate speed there is not courtesy, it is a duty.

Yellow overrides white: temporary markings

In roadworks traffic is guided by yellow or orange markings. Wherever yellow and white markings are visible at the same time, the yellow ones always apply.

The same holds in the general hierarchy: temporary signing overrides fixed signs, and the instructions of a person directing traffic override everything.

Diversions and extraordinary situations

Diversions are signed: follow the signing even if your navigation says otherwise – it often does not know about the closure.

At events, accidents or in emergencies there may be instructions from the police or emergency services that depart from the usual rules. Those take precedence too.

Road surface: reading the ground

• Potholes and ruts: reduce speed; water collects in ruts – risk of aquaplaning.
• Gravel: lengthens the braking distance and is thrown up at other vehicles.
• Planed asphalt: it tugs at the steering – hold the wheel firmly.
• Steel plates and mud: very slippery in the rain.