Warning for Road Work
The sign indicates a section of road where road work or similar activities are taking place.
When You See This Sign
When you see the warning sign for roadworks you should immediately reduce your speed, increase the distance to the vehicle in front and be prepared to follow temporary signage or the directions of flaggers. Watch for machinery, workers and changed road conditions such as narrow lanes or loose gravel, and be prepared to stop if necessary.
Rules & Regulations
- The A20 warning sign indicates that roadworks or similar work is in progress and you should be attentive and adjust your driving accordingly.
- Always follow supplementary instructions such as temporary speed limit signs, lane narrowing signs, or directions from flaggers and traffic signals in the work area.
- Maintain an increased safety distance to the vehicle in front and avoid overtaking work vehicles or driving close to workers; if overtaking is prohibited it will be indicated with supplementary signage.
- Do not park within the marked work area or where access for work vehicles is required — any no-parking restrictions related to roadworks must be followed.
Tips for Drivers
- Reduce your speed well before you reach the work area — do not wait until you see cones or machinery.
- Be prepared for uneven road surfaces, loose gravel, narrower lanes, or sudden stops; keep extra distance and drive smoothly over any irregularities.
- Follow the directions of flaggers and temporary traffic lights if present — their instructions take precedence over previously posted signs.
- Avoid changing lanes or overtaking within the work area unless specific overtaking instructions are provided; this reduces the risk of accidents near the worksite.
Common Mistakes
- Believing that A20 automatically implies a reduced speed limit — the warning sign only alerts you; a separate speed sign is required for a binding limit.
- Ignoring the sign because no workers or machines are visible — work may be nearby or on other parts of the road and risks remain.
- Assuming it always means a complete lane closure — the sign warns of work, but diversion or closure must be indicated with additional signs.
Test Yourself
Road Sign: Warning for Road Work
What does this road sign mean for you as a driver?
- A Roadworks in progress — be prepared for changed conditions and possible obstacles.
- B It is forbidden to drive onto the road — the road is closed to all traffic.
- C Only local traffic may pass — otherwise the road is closed.
- D End of roadworks — normal traffic regulations resume.
Exam Tip
A common theory test format: the question tests whether you know that A20 is only a warning — the answer choices try to make you believe it automatically lowers the speed limit or forbids overtaking. The correct answer is that it warns of work; binding measures require supplementary signs or instructions.
Did You Know?
The A20 sign is used for both major road construction and smaller maintenance works at the roadside; it is normally placed in advance at a distance appropriate for the prevailing speed to give drivers time to adjust. The symbol (person with a shovel) is standardized under international conventions and has been used in Sweden for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the sign mean I must drive slower than the posted speed limit?
No, A20 itself does not change the speed limit. However, you must adapt your speed to the conditions. If there is a temporary speed limit sign in connection with the work, it is binding.
What should I do if a flagger indicates something different from the traffic light?
Follow the flagger's directions — their instructions take precedence over fixed signs and traffic lights in the work zone. Be alert and stop if instructed.
Can I overtake vehicles in an area marked with A20?
Overtaking can be dangerous in roadwork areas and may also be prohibited by supplementary signage. If no prohibition sign is present, do not overtake if it would endanger workers or vehicles in the work area.
How far in advance is the warning sign placed before the worksite?
Placement is at a distance appropriate for the current speed so that drivers have time to react — on a motorway it is placed further away than in urban areas. Exact distances vary depending on road type and local practice.
Practice more in the app
Study Swedish road signs and driving theory in English. 314 signs with rules, tips and quizzes.