What should you do when a flagger holds out a stop or slow-paddle sign?

Flaggers in a work zone have full authority to direct traffic, and their instructions must be obeyed exactly. A stop paddle held by a flagger means stop — it is treated like a red traffic signal. A slow paddle means proceed cautiously through the work zone. Hand signals from a flagger may direct you to wait, proceed, or change lanes. Disobeying a flagger is a traffic violation, often with enhanced penalties because it endangers workers. Flaggers wear high-visibility orange or yellow clothing and use standardized paddles or hand signals so drivers can recognize them at a distance. If the work zone is unsignalized and you reach a section with one-way operation, a flagger or pilot car coordinates the alternating flow.