Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to enhance road safety by focusing on educating drivers about work zone safety. This includes making work zone safety a mandatory subject in driver education and the driver's examination, integrating this knowledge into the drivers manual, and establishing guidelines to support these educational initiatives.

Main Provisions

• Driver Education Updates: The bill mandates that all driver education programs, whether in public schools, private schools, or commercial driving schools, include a section on work zone and road construction worker safety.
• Driver's License Examination: The driver's examination process will also incorporate work zone safety rules.
• Driver's Manual Content: The bill requires the inclusion of work zone safety information in Minnesota's official driver's manual to educate all drivers.
• Rulemaking Authority: The commissioner will be granted the authority to establish rules regarding how work zone safety topics should be covered in driver education.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends existing Minnesota statutes by adding subdivisions specifically addressing work zone safety in the context of driver education and licensing.
• It introduces a structured curriculum about work zone safety, which covers:
  • Observing safe speeds in work zones, particularly when workers are present.
  • Understanding and performing specific duties when entering, traveling through, and exiting work zones.
  • Recognizing the importance of avoiding distractions while driving through work zones.
  • Identifying legal work zone markings and signs.
  • Safely merging when a lane is closed due to construction or maintenance activities.

Relevant Terms

• Work zone safety
• Driver education
• Work zone driving rules
• Driver's manual
• Rulemaking
• Distracted driving
• Traffic control devices
• Minnesota statutes