RoadworksCzechia

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.


34. Roadworks

Roadworks are construction, maintenance, repair or inspection activities carried out on or beside a road. They may temporarily change the road layout, lane widths, speed limits, priority, permitted directions and facilities for pedestrians or cyclists.

Drivers must follow the temporary signs, traffic lights, barriers, road markings and instructions from authorised personnel. They should reduce speed, increase their following distance and remain prepared for narrow lanes, stopped traffic, workers, machinery and sudden changes in the route.

Roadworks
Roadworks on Pod Homolkou towards Kudrnova. (Prague, Czechia)
Wikimedia.org • ŠJů • CC BY-SA
What are roadworks?

Roadworks are construction, maintenance, repair or inspection activities carried out on or beside a road.

How can you recognise roadworks?

They may be indicated by a roadworks warning sign, cones, barriers, temporary markings, flashing lights, machinery or workers.

Does a roadworks sign impose a speed limit?

No, not by itself. A separate temporary or permanent speed-limit sign establishes the legal maximum speed.

Must you drive below the speed limit?

Yes, when necessary. Narrow lanes, workers, machinery, poor surfaces, congestion or limited visibility may require a substantially lower speed.

Are temporary traffic signs legally binding?

Yes. Correctly installed temporary signs must be obeyed for as long as they are in force.

Which road markings should you follow?

Follow the temporary markings that guide traffic through the works. Local law determines how they take priority over older permanent markings.

Must you obey temporary traffic lights?

Yes. Stop at the line or signal when required and do not proceed until the applicable light permits it.

Must you obey road workers directing traffic?

Obey instructions from workers or controllers who are legally authorised to regulate traffic. Their signals may temporarily replace the ordinary traffic arrangement.

What should you do when a lane closes?

Observe the signs and lane arrows, check mirrors and blind spots and merge safely into the continuing lane.

What is zipper merging?

Zipper merging means that vehicles in an ending or blocked lane merge alternately with vehicles in the continuing lane near the narrowing during congested traffic.

Should you merge early?

This depends on local law and traffic conditions. Where zipper merging applies during congestion, use both lanes and merge near the narrowing. In flowing traffic, change lanes when a safe gap is available.

Who has priority when your lane is obstructed?

Without another traffic control, the driver whose route is obstructed commonly has to yield before moving into the path of approaching or adjacent traffic.

Can temporary lights control alternating traffic?

Yes. Temporary signals may allow only one direction at a time through a narrow section.

May you enter when the exit is blocked?

No. Do not enter a narrow section, intersection or temporary crossing when congestion may leave you stopped inside it.

May you move cones or barriers?

No. Do not move, pass around or ignore traffic-control equipment unless an authorised person instructs you to do so.

May you overtake in roadworks?

Only when signs and markings permit it and sufficient width and visibility remain. Overtaking is often unsafe in narrow or shifted lanes.

May you stop or park in roadworks?

Only where temporary and permanent signs permit it. Do not obstruct workers, machinery, emergency access or temporary pedestrian and cycle routes.

What should you watch for near workers?

Expect workers to enter the road, machinery to move or reverse and vehicles to leave the worksite. Reduce speed and leave generous space.

What should cyclists do at roadworks?

Follow the signed temporary cycle route or lane. Check surrounding traffic carefully before leaving a closed or obstructed bike path.

What should pedestrians do?

Use the designated temporary walkway or crossing and follow barriers, signs, signals and instructions from authorised personnel.

Why should you increase your following distance?

Traffic may brake suddenly because of queues, lane changes, machinery, debris or changing signals. Additional distance provides more time to react.

What should you do if your vehicle breaks down in roadworks?

Move to the safest available location where possible, activate the hazard warning lights and contact assistance. Avoid standing in a live or narrow traffic lane.

Do ordinary traffic rules still apply?

Yes. Rules concerning safe speed, following distance, signalling, priority and vulnerable road users continue to apply unless a lawful temporary arrangement changes them.

1 Czechia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Zone 5 Speed limit 6 Advisory speed 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Pedestrian warning 11 Pedestrian zone 12 Speed bump 13 Customs 14 Slope 15 Bus lane 16 Bus stop 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Priority road 22 Road narrowing 23 Priority over oncoming traffic 24 Give way to oncoming traffic 25 Pedestrian crossing 26 Railway crossing 27 School area 28 Crossing animals 29 Slippery road 30 Aircraft 31 Curve 32 Chevron 33 Wrong-way driving 34 Roadworks 35 Height limit 36 Weight limit 37 Radar speed sign 38 Selective barriers 39 Priority at the next junction 40 Traffic lights 41 Traffic lights warning 42 Pedestrian lights 43 Road markings 44 Junction layout 45 Bike box 46 Speed feedback 47 Location marker 48 Countdown markers 49 Traffic mirror 50 Emergency telephone 51 International border 52 Pedestrian underpass 53 Cycling route 54 Parking 55 No parking 56 No stopping 57 Park and ride 58 Kiss and ride 59 Disabled parking 60 Traffic management 61 Reversing 62 Road surface 63 Provisional licence 64 Hazardous cargo 65 Runaway truck ramp 66 Tourist attraction 67 Axle weight limit 68 Licence plate 69 Charging station 70 Dangers 71 Cyclist 72 Bus 73 Police 74 Ambulance 75 Taxi 76 Police signals 77 European emission standard 78 Pothole 79 Path 80 Particulates 81 Air pollution 82 Rush hour 83 Road code 84 Train station 85 Street gutter 86 Cargo bike 87 Forestry vehicle 88 Construction vehicle 89 Semi-trailer truck 90 Trolleybus 91 Speed pedelec 92 Delivery vehicle 93 Idling 94 Tow truck 95 Four-wheel drive 96 No vehicles 97 Bicycle 98 Motorcycle equipment 99 Tram 100 Rail track ...