What is the purpose of a road works sign?

The purpose of a road works sign is to warn drivers of construction activities ahead. These signs are vital for ensuring the safety of both drivers and construction workers by alerting them to potential hazards, such as workers on the road, uneven surfaces, or lane closures. By providing this warning, road works signs help to prevent accidents and maintain safe traffic flow in areas where construction is taking place.

Concerning the other options, while detour signs do indicate alternative routes, they serve a different purpose than road works signs. Signs that show the location of food services cater to driver convenience and are unrelated to construction activities. Similarly, speed limit signs are focused on regulating vehicle speed rather than indicating road work. Thus, the role of a road works sign is specifically focused on alerting road users to upcoming construction and associated risks.