CDOT Launches Snapchat Contest to Encourage Teens to Buckle Up

STATEWIDE – Next week, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is launching ‘Seat Belt Schooled,’ a new Snapchat contest that aims to increase seat belt use among Colorado teens while encouraging friendly high school competition.

Seat Belt Schooled will run starting Monday, September 18 through Friday, September 22. The contest invites Denver County high school students to use targeted Snapchat geofilters, designed specifically for their school, to Snap seat belt-themed photos to friends and CDOT’s SeatBeltContest Snapchat account. Through the course of the week students will also receive direct Snaps from the CDOT account with important seat belt safety messaging.

“Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens, but if we could get more teens to buckle up we could reduce those fatalities,” states Sam Cole, Traffic Safety Communications Manager, CDOT. “By combining high school spirit with social media, our hope is that Seat Belt Schooled will engage with teens through their preferred style of communication while energizing them to establish safe driving habits for life.”

On Monday, September 25, the high school with the most shared Snaps using their unique, school-specific geofilter will be announced as the winner via a Snap from CDOT’s Snapchat account and on CDOT’s Facebook page. That high school will also be awarded the Colorado Championship Belt, a trophy that combines a championship boxing/wrestling belt with a seat belt to highlight dedication to seat belt safety, during a special presentation by CDOT’s Traffic Safety Communications Manager, Sam Cole.

This week, over 30 Denver County public high schools received scented air fresheners to be distributed to students to encourage contest participation and serve as a constant reminder in their vehicle to buckle up every ride, every time. The double-sided air fresheners feature a unique Snapcode to join the contest on the front, and contest rules along with a seat belt-focused safety message on the back.

Seat Belt Schooled will be accompanied by a social media campaign, featuring Facebook and Instagram ads that communicate seat belt safety messaging and promote participation in the contest.

For more teen driving tips and resources, visit https://www.codot.gov/safety/colorado-teen-drivers.

Media are encouraged to interact with CDOT’s Snapchat account by adding the username SeatBeltContest. Please contact Sam Cole, Colorado Department of Transportation (303) 757-9484 o / (303) 859-1304 c / [email protected] for more information.