More than 63,500 Oklahoma teens take part in first year of Work Zone Safe safety course law
Oklahoma celebrates the one-year mark since becoming the first state in the nation to require a work zone and first responder safety training course for teen drivers. The law, which took effect Nov. 1, 2023, requires all Oklahomans under 18 to complete the free Oklahoma Work Zone Safe online education course before applying for their intermediate driver license.
Since the law went into effect, more than 63,500 Oklahoma teens have completed the course. The program teaches teens about work zone and first responder safety and introduces them to the faces behind the flags and flashing lights. In total, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority have lost 72 employees combined in the line of duty in both agency’s history, which is more than any other state agency other than the military.
“We are proud to see Oklahoma taking a lead in this vital safety education for new drivers and are excited about the positive impact it will have for families across the state as teen drivers, other motorists, first responders and our workers make it home safe every day,” said Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz. “Car crashes are one of the leading causes of deaths for teenagers in the U.S., so we want to make sure new drivers understand the importance of driving safely inside work zones and moving over and slowing down for first responders.”
While Oklahoma is the first state to require teen drivers to take the course before applying for their license, Wisconsin also now requires a similar course and several other states have started the process to implement Work Zone Safe. Once completed, teens download their Work Zone Safe certificate and present it to Service Oklahoma when they apply for their learner permit. Teens must have it completed by the time they take their drive test for their intermediate driver license.
“We have filled our roads with ‘digitally drunk’ drivers and this program is designed to teach young drivers how their driving can impact their lives and other’s forever,” said Work Zone Safe creator Tom Robins. “We know work zones can be confusing for new drivers so we want to give teens work zone safety education before they encounter one while behind the wheel.”
The online course teaches teen drivers, ages 15-18, to be confident, capable and safe drivers in work zones. In addition to being a requirement for an intermediate license, teens who complete the program will be entered to win a $500 educational scholarship and qualify for a safer driver insurance discount.
In addition to the online course, Work Zone Safe offers an in-person, hands-on education in partnership with ODOT, OTA and Oklahoma Challenge Teen Traffic Safety Program, among others. This traveling work zone safety program lets students get an inside look at work zones and lets them hear directly from highway workers on what they should be doing when driving through work zones to make it home safely every time. Since the program’s inception in 2021, Work Zone Safe has brought the in-person work zone driver safety course to more than 22,200 Oklahoma teen drivers.
Work Zone Safe was created by Tom Robins for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and in partnership with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, Association of Oklahoma General Contractors, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.
Parents and student drivers can learn more at www.WorkZoneSafe.com and learn more about intermediate driver licenses at www.Service.ok.gov.
Pictured are Work Zone Safe partners, from left to right, Association of General Contractors President Bobby Stem, former Secretary of Transportation Mike Patterson, Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz, Senator Darcy Jech, Work Zone Safe President Tom Robins, American Traffic Safety Services Association Oklahoma Chapter President Alma Pickle and Asphalt Pavement Association Executive Director Larry Patrick.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation workers lead students through a mock work zone at an in-person Work Zone Safe event in Broken Arrow. Students learn the meaning of various signs they might encounter when driving through a work zone as well as tips to help them drive safely.
