CDOT kicks off PSA video contest for $5,000 in prize funds

The Colorado Department of Transportation is launching a statewide video contest for high school students to create a compelling distracted driving public service announcement. Students are invited to create their own anti-distracted driving video for the chance to win money and be featured in CDOT’s advertising campaign. This effort 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 until April 10, 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. Students can work individually or in groups to create videos 30-90 seconds in length that reflect what the students think will convince Coloradans to stop driving distracted.

Young drivers in Colorado are increasingly at risk when behind the wheel. In 2022, there were 103 deadly crashes involving teenagers, a 37% increase from the 75 fatal crashes in 2019. With new technologies, phones, food, pets and fellow passengers all providing increasing distractions within the vehicle, this campaign aims to remind teens to stay safe and focus on the road when behind the wheel.

CDOT will announce the contest winners during Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. Students will compete for $5,000 in prizes and the winning PSA will be featured as part of CDOT’s Distracted Driving educational campaign.