The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) have launched a new, statewide training program to improve new driver safety and roadway worker protection. The launch took place at Carlisle High School to highlight teen driver safety during National Teen Driver Safety Week.

Pennsylvania's New Driver Work Zone Safety Program is a training project that uses videos, infographics, knowledge checks, and testimonials to teach new drivers work zone laws, signage, and key facts, in addition to offering real-life scenarios to enhance understanding. The new program launched during National Teen Driver Safety Week in October; this annual observance aims to provide education on safe driving to teens and all new drivers in the commonwealth.

The free, 35-minute virtual New Driver Work Zone Safety Program is currently available in English and Spanish. The transportation agencies will also collaborate on hands-on training opportunities to supplement the course.

Last October, Oklahoma became the first state in the nation to require new drivers to pass a work zone safety course to get their licenses. After hearing about Oklahoma's program, the PA Turnpike developed a plan to introduce a similar initiative and has been working with PennDOT to make it a reality. The project was funded through $50,000 from the Federal Highway Administration's State Transportation Innovation Council Incentive Program.

While the program is free and encouraged for all Pennsylvania residents, it is especially geared for new drivers.

Key factors in crashes involving teen drivers in Pennsylvania include driver inexperience, driver distractions, driving too fast for conditions, and improper or careless turning. The risk of a crash involving any of these factors can be reduced through practice, limiting the number of passengers riding with a teen driver, obeying all rules of the road, and using common sense.

The joint training project extends PennDOT and the PA Turnpike's collaboration on increased work zone safety awareness. Both organizations host work zone-related educational events throughout the year. In March, PennDOT and the PA Turnpike, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police, started enforcement of the statewide Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program, which uses vehicle-mounted systems and electronic speed timing devices to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more.

For more information on the New Driver Work Zone Safety Program, visit https://tinyurl.com/NewDriverWorkZone.