Oklahoma teens will have to take a new safety course if they plan on applying for a drivers license. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT)andServiceOklahoma announced the new requirement in a press release during National Teen Driver Safety Week.
The course, which is the OklahomaWorkZoneSafeand First Responder Safety course, is a free online program that teaches teen drivers about work zone and first responder safety.
Even though the course is available nationwide, Oklahoma is the first state to make it a requirement for teens to acquire their licenses. The course is not strictly offered online. Some work zone sites are also available.
Teens who complete the program will be entered to win a $500 scholarship and qualify for insurance discounts. Once the course is completed, teens can download their completion certificate.
The course sheds a light on the recent lack of driver safety in Oklahoma. According to ODOT, 272 people died from car wrecks in Oklahoma in just the first six months of the year. That means an average of 45 people have been killed from January to June.
A 15-year-old from Bixby was killed on October 17 when an 18-year-old driver failed to yield at a stop sign and crashed into two other cars. A 19-year-old from Muskogee County was killed October 19 when he failed to yield to a stop sign, as well.
ODOT also noted that work zone accidents are also steadily increasing. It was reported that 91 motorists were killed in work zone crashes between 2018 and 2023 and 102 drivers under the age of 20 were severely injured.
ODOT Secretary Tim Gatz said the new safety course will help teach teens to be safer and moreobservantontheroadand in work zones.
“We want teenagers who are learning to drive to have the added benefit of work zone safety education before they ever encounter one for the first time behind the wheel of a vehicle,” Gatz said in an interview. “Work zones require all drivers to be very focused by putting away all distractions to ensure that they, other motorists, and our workers all stay safe.”
To learn more about Oklahoma’s new requirement, visit https://oklahoma.gov/service/ popular-services/teen-driving. html.