Stephens Flagging LLC

If your crew is performing roadwork in an area that’s frequently under construction, the standard construction signs may be little more than background scenery to motorists familiar with the area. Bringing in a traffic flagger can help alert motorists that something new is happening on the road ahead.

Every construction project is different, including the scope, length, and location. But you don’t have to worry. Traffic flaggers can adapt to any situation, whether it’s a long-term, multi-lane closure on a major highway, or short-term shoulder work on a back road.

In order to ensure maximum visibility, traffic flagging companies issues safety vests and other items of clothing that can be easily seen – often using fluorescent orange-red or yellow-green. Many states have regulations that cover the safety apparel that flaggers must wear while working in or near a construction site.

You might think that the color of a traffic sign indicates its level of importance – with red being used for stop signs. But that’s not the case. Instead, it was the number of sides on the sign that was most important. Round signs, deemed most important, were chosen for railroad crossings. Octagonal signs, next in importance, were chosen for stop signs. A square sign, with just four sides, was used for matters urging caution or attention.

Visibility is one of the most important issues for proper traffic control in work zones. Traffic flaggers are taught to ensure that the locations chosen to signal to traffic are both safe and highly visible. Glare from the sun, shadows and night-time work zones require particularly careful placement to ensure visibility.

It’s hard to imagine the roads in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Cars were just beginning to be sold at that time and the “rules of the road” simply did not exist. For example, the idea of the center line was first applied in 1911. It wasn’t until 1915 that the first stop sign was erected, according to experts. A traffic flagger’s job would have been much easier in those days!

When there are major obstacles in the road – like potholes or downed trees – it’s important to give motorists plenty of notice. Whether you’re only shutting down part of the road or need to completely redirect traffic, our flaggers are always up to the challenge.

If you’re closing off one lane of a road for a longer distance, then a single traffic flagger won’t be enough. In that case, a traffic flagging company will provide two-way flagging, where multiple flaggers coordinate on either end of the work zone.

Do you need to close off a lane for your work zone? This leaves traffic in both directions using a single lane, which could lead to several obvious problems. Using a traffic flagger will help prevent accidents or other problems.

You might think that you don’t need a traffic flagger if you’re working on a secondary back road, but drivers who are expecting an empty road might be startled by your work zone. Having traffic flaggers will help make sure any accidents are prevented.

It wasn’t long after the first steam powered vehicles in the late 19th century first appeared that Americans began to put up traffic signs such as the ubiquitous red stop sign used by traffic flaggers. However, stop signs that were black and other colors led to a standardization effort that began in 1922.

When the position of your utility lines leaves you no choice but to shut down several lanes of traffic on a busy road, there’s always the potential for traffic accidents as a result. Let’s talk about how bringing in our traffic flaggers can help keep the roadway safe for everyone while you complete your work.