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Legislation aims to teach new drivers how to navigate work zones

Talking Michigan Transportation

Chapters
0:00
Welcome And Work Zone Goal
1:46
Why Training Misses Work Zones
5:35
Setting A Minimum 30 Minutes
8:55
What Actually Changes Driver Behavior
11:18
A Tragic I-96 Work Zone Crash
15:12
Hands Free Law Quick Reminder
16:02
Oklahoma’s Coalition For Roadway Safety
19:10
Shredding Pamphlets For Modern Training
21:20
How Oklahoma Passed The Requirement
26:57
Early Results And Parent Modeling
31:02
Keeping The Course Current
32:34
Closing Thanks And Resources
Talking Michigan Transportation
Legislation aims to teach new drivers how to navigate work zones
May 14, 2026 Season 8 Episode 269
Michigan Department of Transportation

This week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation highlights proposed legislation to include driving through work zones as a focus of driver’s training curriculums.

House Bill 5767 would amend the Driver Education Provider and Instructor Act to provide, beginning Jan. 1, 2027, that all participants in a driver education course must complete a work zone safety education course, developed in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and approved by the Department of State (DOS).

First, Brian Sarkella, chapter president for the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), talks about his advocacy for the legislation and testimony he provided to a Michigan House committee on Tuesday, May 12.

Later, Tom Robins of Work Zone Safe talks about his work to adopt legislation in work zone driver’s training in Oklahoma and how it has informed efforts in other states.