How Do You Drive Through a Construction Zone in Ontario?

When you see orange construction signs, reduce your speed to the posted construction zone limit. The exact reduced limit varies by zone and road type — on a 100 km/h highway it might drop to 80 or 90 km/h, while on a 50 km/h urban road it could drop to 40 or 50 km/h. Read the sign rather than assuming a default. The reduced limit applies whether or not you can see workers. You must obey the construction zone speed until you pass the end-of-construction sign. Do not speed back up the moment you think the zone is ending.

Speeding fines are automatically doubled in construction zones. For example, if a speeding ticket normally carries a $100 fine, it becomes $200 in a construction zone. This applies even if no workers are present at the time.

When highway construction workers are present and at risk, minimum fines apply regardless of how far over the limit you are driving.

Construction zones often reduce lanes. When a lane is closed ahead, merge as soon as it is safe rather than driving to the merge point and forcing your way in. However, zipper merging (using both lanes until the merge point, then alternating) is also legal and actually reduces congestion. Follow the signs and be courteous to other drivers.

Stay alert for flaggers, who have the same legal authority as traffic signals. You must obey a flagger's directions. Keep extra following distance from the vehicle ahead since debris, uneven pavement, or sudden stops are common in construction zones. Avoid distractions: fines for distracted driving also double in construction zones.