What is the purpose of barriers such as drums, cones, and tubes in work zones?

Barriers such as drums, cones, and tubes are essential in work zones primarily to keep traffic out of hazardous areas. These barriers help to create a clear distinction between safe driving areas and zones where construction, maintenance, or repairs are taking place, ensuring the safety of both workers and drivers. By effectively directing traffic away from potentially dangerous environments, these barriers help prevent accidents that could result from vehicles entering areas where workers are present or where equipment is operating.

While options related to keeping traffic off the road or indicating speed limits are relevant to broader traffic control measures, they do not specifically address the critical safety aspect of work zones. Similarly, directing drivers to alternative routes, while sometimes a function of signage in work zones, is not the primary purpose of these barriers. Their main goal remains the protection of both workers and the traveling public by clearly marking unsafe zones.