Professional Flagging Services in Florida & South Georgia

Standing in the road with a stop paddle while cars rush past takes nerves and training. Sun State Traffic Control provides certified traffic control flaggers throughout Florida and South Georgia. Our flaggers know how to read traffic, communicate with drivers, and keep everyone safe when roads narrow to single lane. We handle utility repairs, paving projects, tree trimming, and any situation where you need someone directing traffic around your work.

Every flagger on our team has completed MUTCD training and knows Florida and Georgia traffic control standards. They show up in proper safety gear with the right equipment. You get experienced professionals who understand the job goes beyond just holding a paddle.

What Traffic Control Flaggers Actually Do

A flagger's main job is controlling traffic when it can only move in one direction at a time. Think about a narrow bridge under repair or a single lane kept open while the other gets paved. Cars can't pass each other so someone needs to alternate which direction gets to go. That's where the flagger comes in.

Stop and Slow Communication

Flaggers use a STOP/SLOW paddle. One side says STOP in red. The other says SLOW in orange. When traffic approaches, the flagger holds up the STOP side facing drivers. They hold the paddle steady at shoulder height so it's clearly visible. Cars stop and wait. When the opposite direction clears out, the flagger rotates the paddle to show SLOW and waves cars through carefully.

Good flaggers make eye contact with the first driver in line. They use clear hand signals. They stay alert to what's happening in both directions. It sounds simple but doing it right for eight hours straight while staying safe requires real skill.

Communication Between Flaggers

Most flagging operations use two flaggers positioned at opposite ends of the work zone. They can't see each other so they communicate by radio. Flagger One releases northbound traffic. They radio Flagger Two to confirm the lane is clear. Flagger Two holds southbound traffic until northbound clears their end. Then they release southbound and radio back. This back and forth coordination keeps traffic moving without head on collisions in the work zone.

Reading Traffic Patterns

Experienced flaggers learn to read how traffic builds up. If one direction keeps getting backed up longer than the other, they adjust timing to let more cars through. During rush hour, they might hold one direction a bit longer to clear the queue. On quiet roads, they keep alternating quickly so nobody waits long. This judgment comes from experience.

Emergency Vehicle Response

When an ambulance or fire truck approaches with lights and sirens, everything changes. The flagger needs to safely clear traffic from the work zone immediately to let the emergency vehicle through. Our flaggers train specifically on emergency response procedures. They know how to react fast without creating a dangerous situation.

Projects That Need Flagging Services

Single Lane Alternating Traffic

Anytime you shut down one lane completely and traffic has to alternate directions through the remaining lane, you need flaggers. Paving one side. Replacing a culvert under the road. Working on a narrow bridge. Tree removal over the pavement. These situations can't work with just signs because somebody needs to actively control which direction moves when.

Utility Work in Residential Streets

Water line repairs and sewer work often close neighborhood streets completely. But residents still need to get in and out of their driveways. A flagger can let residents through when it's safe and hold other traffic back when equipment is moving. This keeps the neighborhood functioning while work gets done.

Driveway and Intersection Access

Working across driveways or right at an intersection creates constant conflict between your work and vehicles trying to enter or exit. A flagger coordinates these movements. They stop work momentarily to let a car out of a driveway, then wave your equipment back in. This beats stopping and starting your whole operation every few minutes.

Oversized Load Escorts

Moving wide loads, tall equipment, or extremely long trucks often requires flaggers ahead of and behind the load. They warn regular traffic and help guide the oversized vehicle around tight corners or through narrow spots. Some permits require flaggers for loads over certain dimensions.

Special Event Traffic

Races, festivals, and parades need flaggers at key intersections to direct participants and control spectator traffic. These situations involve pedestrians, bicycles, and cars all mixing together. Trained flaggers keep everything organized and prevent chaos.

How Our Flaggers Are Trained

MUTCD Certification Course

Every Sun State flagger completes the standard MUTCD flagger training course. This covers hand signals, paddle use, proper positioning, high visibility clothing requirements, and communication procedures. The course includes written tests and practical demonstrations. Nobody works as a flagger for us without passing this certification.

On the Job Experience

Classroom training teaches the basics. Real world experience teaches judgment. New flaggers work alongside veterans before going solo. They learn how different drivers react. How to stay visible in various lighting conditions. How weather affects the job. When to be more cautious and when they can relax a bit. This mentoring builds confident, capable flaggers.

Safety Equipment and Gear

Our flaggers wear ANSI Class 3 high visibility safety vests or shirts. Bright orange or yellow with lots of reflective striping. Hard hats when required by the site. The stop/slow paddle meets MUTCD size and reflectivity standards. Two way radios for communication. Everything they need comes from Sun State. You don't provide gear.

Ongoing Updates

Traffic control standards change. New techniques develop. Our flaggers attend refresher training regularly. We review incidents and near misses to learn from mistakes. Safety meetings cover new situations our crews encountered. This continuous improvement keeps skills sharp and knowledge current.

Why Hire Professional Flaggers Instead of Using Your Own Crew

They're Trained for It

Pulling a worker off your crew to hold a paddle seems cheap. But that person probably has no training on proper procedures. They don't know the signals. They haven't practiced communication. They're thinking about the work they should be doing instead of focusing on traffic. Professional flaggers concentrate 100% on traffic control because that's their entire job.

You're Protected from Liability

When our flagger is controlling traffic, we carry the liability insurance for their actions. If something goes wrong, our insurance responds. Your flagger puts liability on your company insurance. Given how expensive accidents can be, this protection alone often justifies the cost of professional flagging services.

Your Crew Stays Productive

Every worker you pull away from actual construction to direct traffic reduces your productivity. With professional flaggers handling traffic, your entire crew focuses on the work you're there to do. Projects move faster. You make more money. The flagger cost pays for itself through improved efficiency.

Compliance Is Guaranteed

OSHA and MUTCD have specific requirements for traffic control personnel. Professional flaggers meet every requirement automatically. You don't worry about whether someone has the right certification or proper equipment. Inspectors see professional flaggers and check that box without questions.

Getting Flagging Services for Your Project

Tell Us Your Needs

Call and explain your project. Where are you working? What dates? How many hours per day? Do you need one flagger or two? We'll figure out the right setup. Many contractors aren't sure what they need. We guide you based on the type of work and location.

We Provide a Quote

Flagging rates are typically hourly with minimum call out periods. We quote a clear price. For longer projects, we can offer daily or weekly rates that save you money compared to hourly billing.

Flaggers Arrive Ready

On your start date, flaggers show up early. They're already in proper safety gear with all equipment. They meet with your foreman to understand the work area and traffic pattern. Then they get in position and your project starts without delay.

Adjustments During the Project

Projects change. Work that was supposed to take three days stretches to five. Or you finish early. Rain delays push your schedule around. We're flexible. Need your flagger an extra day? We extend. Done sooner than planned? We adjust billing. You're not locked into rigid contracts that don't match reality.