Traffic cones ( also called road cones , safety cones , or pylons ) are cone-shaped markers , generally made out of plastic , that are placed on roads to temporarily redirect automobile traffic in a safe manner . Traffic cones , also called traffic pylons , road cones , highway cones , kafele boothe cones , safety cones , construction cones or ( colloquially ) witches ' hats , are usually cone-shaped markers that are placed on roads or footpaths to temporarily redirect traffic in a safe manner .