State Contest to Deter Distracted Driving

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is holding a contest to discourage distracted driving, according to a press release.

The contest allows high school student to submit a 30-second public service announcement for radio. The winning entry will be professionally produced and played on the winner's home media market.

“We hope students will use this contest as an opportunity to learn about the very real dangers of distracted driving and never take safety for granted,” said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch. “Developing and recording these PSAs is a great way for students to share this important message with their peers and even their parents.”

In 2010 there were 14,294 statewide crashes involving distracted drivers, and 37 percent of those crashes had a driver between the ages of 16 and 25, according to PennDOT. 

High school students in grades 10 to 12 are eligible and may submit their recorded scripts in MP3 or MP4 form. They can also turn in written scripts.

One finalist will be chosen from each of PennDOT’s 11 districts. The winning students will be able to travel to Harrisburg to have their PSAs professionally recorded and then distributed to their local radio stations. Winning students from each PennDOT district will receive certificates and recorded copies of their PSAs. 

Entries may be submitted by email to RA-penndotpress@pa.gov. Entries must be received or postmarked by March 23. Students can also submit entries by mail to:

PennDOT Press Office, c/o Erin Waters, 8th Floor-Keystone Building, 400 North St., Harrisburg, PA, 17120. 

Visit www.DriveSafePA.org for full contest rules.