Deadline extended: CDOT invites high school students to submit distracted driving PSA for a chance to win $5,000
News Release
Statewide — The Colorado Department of Transportation has extended the deadline for its distracted driving video contest. The contest invites Colorado high school students to create an anti-distracted driving public service announcement (PSA) for the chance to win up to $5,000. The contest is part of a grant CDOT received from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and General Motors to decrease distracted driving-related fatalities and injuries.
All high school students residing in Colorado are eligible to enter the contest. Submissions will be accepted through April 17, 2023, through CDOT’s distracted driving website. The video concepts and production style are entirely up to the students and can be either live action or animated. All videos should be 30-90 seconds and reflect what the students think will convince Coloradans to stop driving distracted. Students can work individually or in groups.
In 2022, there were 103 deadly crashes involving teenagers, a 37% increase from 75 in 2019. Distracted driving behaviors remain prevalent among younger Coloradans, with 62% of drivers aged 35 and younger having reported sending a message on their phone over the last seven days of driving.
“We hope students take advantage of this opportunity and understand the severity of distracted driving,” said Darrell Lingk, director of CDOT’s Highway Safety Office. “As teens grow up and get into the driver’s seat, it is so important to practice safe driving habits. That means dropping all distractions when behind the wheel and paying attention to the road.”
CDOT will announce the contest winners in May. Students will compete for $5,000 in prizes and the winning PSA will be featured as part of CDOT’s distracted driving educational campaign. Students are encouraged to get imaginative using interviews, music, art, animation and other creative resources to convey their message. For safety purposes, no portion of the video can include footage taken inside a moving vehicle.
About GHSA
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Visit ghsa.org for more information or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
