Flaggers – the unsung heroes of road construction
They can be seen on every major highway, road, and bridge that is getting improvements. With a two-way radio in one hand and a STOP/SLOW sign in the other, they keep visitors and citizens moving past construction zones. It was one of my first jobs. Becoming a Traffic Control Flagger is what gave me my first real introduction to the industry that would become my life’s work. Flaggers, officially known as Traffic Control Flaggers, have the primary goal of keeping their coworkers and motorists safe by communicating with drivers and teammates as people navigate a construction zone. They accomplish that goal by placing traffic cones to shut down lanes, using signs, flags, and hand signals to communicate with drivers, and sometimes even record license plate numbers of dangerous/disrespectful drivers and report them to police. Traffic Control Flaggers require training and often certification, depending on the state. However, there is often no experience required to get started. This lack