Transportation Cabinet
Kentucky Office of Highway Safety hosting statewide public service announcement contest for high school students

Teens encouraged to increase awareness of distracted driving dangers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 1, 2010) – Distracted driving is threatening the lives – and taking lives – of young drivers.  To raise awareness of the danger, the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) is sponsoring a video Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest for public and private high schools throughout the state. 

“We want to encourage young drivers and passengers to use good judgment in the vehicle,” said Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock, who is Gov. Steve Beshear’s designated representative for highway safety.  “By getting teenagers involved in the education process, we hope to save even more young lives.”

In Kentucky last year, there were more than 28,200 crashes involving drivers under 21.  Of those crashes, over 14,500 – more than half – were due to a young distracted driver. 
 
“Many people think a driver is only distracted when talking on a cell phone or texting, but distraction takes various forms,” said Chuck Geveden, KOHS executive director.  “The driver can be eating, drinking, changing the radio or talking with passengers.”

Informational packets were mailed to schools this week, inviting teens to create scripts for 30-second PSAs focused on distracted driving risks and/or prevention strategies.  KOHS will host a press event at the winning school and the winners will be recognized at the Kentucky Lifesavers Conference at the Galt House in Louisville on April 26, 2011.  The winning PSA will air at the Boys’ and Girls’ Sweet 16 basketball tournaments in March 2011. It also will air during the KOHS statewide distracted driving campaign in October 2011 through broadcast agreements with Big Blue Sports Marketing and WAZOO Sports Network.

Registration will open Oct. 1 at 9 a.m. EDT and close Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. EDT.  The 30-second PSA must be submitted to the KOHS by Feb. 1, 2011 at 4 p.m. EST.  Additional information can be found at http://highwaysafety.ky.gov/psa_video_contest.asp or call the KOHS at 1-888-374-8768. 

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