Helping the most inexperienced drivers look out for the most vulnerable road users is the goal of a new, national partnership announced today between the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Foundation and Work Zone Safe — an Oklahoma-based non-profit teaching teen drivers "there is a face and a family behind every flag, cone and flashing light."

Adopted by the Oklahoma state legislature in 2023 as a component of driving certification, the Work Zone Safe program has since expanded into six more states, with a projected 250,000 teen drivers to be trained next year.

Through a major financial gift from ARTBA's Foundation, and in partnership with the association's state contractor chapter affiliates, the initiative aims to:

• encourage adoption of program requirements in other states;

• expand hands-on training opportunities for state transportation agencies to deliver their own "faces behind the flag" safety training;

• bring the "faces behind the flag" opportunity to community events; and

• recognize and reward teen drivers nationwide who demonstrate a commitment to safe driving in work zones.

"Teaching teens to respect work zones directly aligns with ARTBA's goal to protect roadway workers during construction operations," said Brad Sant, senior vice president of safety and education for the Washington, D.C.-based ARTBA.

Tom Robins, founder of Work Zone Safe said, "With ARTBA's support, we can further expand our life-saving mission, ensuring the next generation of drivers navigates safely through work zones."

For more information, visit artbatdf.org/