2.4 Information Signs, Temporary Signs and Construction Zones

Barbados Regulation Examination Exam

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1 Chapter 1: The Regulation Examination and the Licensing Path

1.1 The Regulation Examination: Facts, Booking and Study Plan 1.2 Learner's Permit Conditions and Supervision 1.3 Driving Test, Licence Classes, Renewal and Demerit Points

2 Chapter 2: Traffic Signs

2.1 Sign Shapes, Colours and Legal Force 2.2 Warning Signs in the Ninth Schedule 2.3 Regulatory Signs: Prohibitions and Mandatory Orders 2.4 Information Signs, Temporary Signs and Construction Zones

3 Chapter 3: Light Signals, Driver Signals and Police Directions

3.1 Traffic Light Signals 3.2 Driver Signals, the Horn and Police Directions

4 Chapter 4: Road Markings and Pedestrian Crossings

4.1 Road Markings and Lane Use 4.2 Pedestrian Crossings

5 Chapter 5: Road Position, Overtaking, Junctions and Roundabouts

5.1 Keeping Left, Being Overtaken and Overtaking 5.2 Junctions, Turning and Emerging 5.3 Roundabouts

6 Chapter 6: Speed Limits and Stopping Distances

6.1 Barbados Speed Limits 6.2 Following Distance and Stopping Distance

7 Chapter 7: Stopping, Parking and Lights

7.1 Stopping, Waiting and Parking Rules 7.2 Lighting-Up Times and Use of Lights

8 Chapter 8: Vehicle Condition, Loads and Occupant Safety

8.1 Vehicle Condition, Equipment, Loads and Towing 8.2 Seat Belts and Child Safety Seats

9 Chapter 9: Alcohol, Drugs, Distraction and Fitness to Drive

9.1 Alcohol, Drugs and the Breath-Test Law 9.2 Phones, Distractions, Fatigue and Fitness to Drive

10 Chapter 10: Sharing the Road

10.1 Pedestrians, Children and Processions 10.2 Cyclists and Motorcyclists 10.3 Animals, Animal-Drawn Vehicles and Slow Traffic 10.4 Emergency Vehicles, Buses and Public Service Vehicles

11 Chapter 11: Accidents, Insurance and Traffic Offences

11.1 Duties After an Accident 11.2 Insurance, Documents and Traffic Offences

12 Chapter 12: Defensive Driving and Emergencies

12.1 Defensive Driving and Hazard Perception 12.2 Rain, Night, Breakdowns and Emergencies

2.4 Information Signs, Temporary Signs and Construction Zones

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

Rectangular signs inform: 'One-way traffic', 'ONE WAY' street and the 'Meter ZONE' entrance to controlled parking are in the Ninth Schedule.

Temporary signs for diversions, works and obstructions are rectangular, with square, rounded or pointed ends (reg. 104).

Flashing amber beacons mean take special care; red flags at works mean it would be dangerous to proceed (regs. 105 and 106).

The maximum speed in a construction zone is 25 km/h, or lower if signs at the zone show it (s.84A and reg. 87(2A)).

Speeding in a construction zone adds a fine of BBD $50 to $200 for each km/h over the limit, on top of the fine of up to BBD $1,000 (s.84A).

Last updated: October 2026

Not every sign gives an order or a warning. Rectangular signs tell you where you are, where roads go and how traffic is arranged. A separate set of temporary signs and devices keeps drivers and workers safe at road works. Since the 2017 amendments, road works also have their own statutory speed limit .

Information signs in the Ninth Schedule

One-way traffic : a rectangle with a horizontal arrow, placed at a junction to show that traffic on the road ahead moves only in the direction of the arrow.

One-way street : a rectangle with an upward arrow and the words ONE WAY , confirming that you are on a road where traffic moves in one direction only. In a one-way street you may draw up on the right-hand side as well as the left (reg. 31(12)).

Entrance to controlled parking : a sign reading "Meter ZONE" with a no-waiting disc. Inside the zone you may park only in the places provided, and you must pay any charge shown (regs. 98 and 99).

Direction signs give destinations and distances in kilometres . Read them early so that you can choose your lane without last-minute changes.

Note

Barbados test papers ask what feature a one-way street has that an ordinary two-way road does not. The answer is one-way signs . Lines on the road are found on both kinds of road.

Temporary signs and road works (regs. 104 to 107)

Road works change the road layout for a short time, so the Regulations allow special temporary devices:

Device Regulation Meaning

Temporary sign : rectangular, or rectangular with rounded corners or one pointed end 104 Information about diversions and alternative routes, or a warning of works or an obstruction

Flashing amber beacon , flashing at least 50 times a minute on a post with black-and-white sloping bands 105 Drivers should take special care

Red flag of at least 60 square centimetres 106 Used in an emergency at works: it would be dangerous to proceed

Cone , 15 to 50 cm tall, white with red bands 107 Follow the route the cones mark round the works or obstruction

The Commissioner of Police and police officers may also place temporary signs to deal with congestion or danger (reg. 102). Obey them exactly as you would a permanent sign.

Where one lane is closed, portable traffic lights with only a red and a green light may control traffic (reg. 111). A red light means stop at the line or the signal, even if you cannot see traffic coming through the works.

The construction-zone speed limit

The Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2017-26 added section 84A , and the Road Traffic (Amendment) Regulations, 2017 added regulation 87(2A) :

The maximum speed in an area classified as a construction zone is 25 km/h .

Where traffic control devices at either end of the zone show a lower limit, that lower limit applies.

The penalty is a fine of BBD $1,000 or 12 months' imprisonment, or both, plus an additional fine for every km/h over the limit:

Speed over the posted limit Additional fine per km/h over
Less than 30 km/h over BBD $50
30 km/h or more but less than 50 km/h over BBD $70
50 km/h or more but less than 60 km/h over BBD $100
60 km/h or more over BBD $200

Worked example. You drive at 55 km/h through a construction zone with the standard 25 km/h limit. You are 30 km/h over, which falls in the "30 or more but less than 50" band, so the additional fine is 30 × $70 = BBD $2,100 , on top of the court fine of up to BBD $1,000.

Driving through works safely

Slow down at the first sign , not at the cones.

Increase your following distance. Loose material and sudden stops are common.

Follow the cones and signs , not your memory of the old layout.

Obey anyone directing traffic at the works, and never pass a red flag or red portable light.

Do not stop to look. Keep moving steadily, and leave room for workers and machinery.

At night and in rain

Works are hardest to read after dark. Cones carry white reflective material and may carry red reflective bands (reg. 107), and amber beacons flash to draw your eye. Use dipped headlights when other traffic is near, slow down well before the first cone, and expect the road surface to change from asphalt to loose material or steel plates. In rain, loose material and mud make braking distances longer, so increase your gap even further. If the works narrow the road to one lane without signals, give way to vehicles already in the narrow section.