FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Donna Tommelleo, 860-524-7313
September 18, 2009 donna.tommelleo@ct.gov
Governor Rell Invites Teens to Participate
In 2nd Annual Safe Driving Video Contest
Governor M. Jodi Rell today helped launch of the state’s second annual Teen Safe Driving Video Contest that will focus on the growing national concern with the dangers of distracted driving by teens.
The contest, “From the Driver’s Seat to the Director’s Chair,” which starts today, encourages high school students from across the state to create a 25-second public service announcement that focuses on the laws regarding passenger restrictions and cell phone use.
“Distracted driving is a growing concern in Connecticut and around the nation,” Governor Rell said during a ceremony at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Wethersfield. “Teens are experts at text messaging and talking on the phone but they are far from being expert drivers. Texting and talking while driving do not mix. We know we cannot legislate against every possible situation, but we need to raise awareness of the risks when you take you eyes off the road.”
In 2007, the most recent year for complete statistics in Connecticut, teens between the ages of 16 and 17 were involved in about 7,500 crashes. There also were also thousands of citations for violations of the state’s teen driving, speeding, cell phone and driving under the influence laws. Police have reported that driving while distracted underlies some of the causes of these crashes and violations.
The contest will give students a chance to have their high schools win cash prizes from the Travelers Insurance Companies, Inc. and be promoted by the State of Connecticut in a variety of ways to send the message about the dangers of distracted driving.
A 2008 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report noted that teen drivers are distinct from more mature drivers in their crash rates, crash characteristics, driving styles, travel patterns, attitudes and capabilities. These factors make them particularly vulnerable to the risks of distracted driving. As one student commented in the federal study when it comes to multi-tasking in the car, including cell phone and text messaging, “It’s like breathing – we don’t think about doing it or whether or not we should do it – we just do.”
Cell phone use, text messaging, driving without hands, changing CDs in a car player, an inability to see their own behaviors as causing a higher risk for accidents are among the causes teens listed in a federal study as taking their attention from the primary task of focusing on driving.
To enter this year’s DMV contest, high school students are asked to shoot, direct and edit their 25-second PSA on distracted driving issues. It must mention at least one of the following teen driving laws:
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Passenger restriction laws;
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Laws against talking on a cell phone while driving;
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Laws against texting while driving (mobile electronic device use).
“The contest gives Connecticut teenagers a chance to use their creativity and communicate the importance of safe driving to their peers and have a little fun at the same time," DMV Commissioner Robert M. Ward said. “If other teens take these videos seriously, they may help save a life one day.”
High schools of the top three winners will receive a monetary award to continue to promote teen safe driving. The Travelers Companies, Inc. the contest’s chief prize sponsor, will award $4,000 to the school of the first place winner, $3,000 to the second place winner’s school and $2,000 to the school of the third place winner.
“Travelers is proud to sponsor a contest that shines the spotlight on the importance of safe teen driving,” said Travelers President and Chief Operating Officer Brian MacLean. “We all have a stake in educating teens about the dangers of driving while distracted. When teens drive safely, the roads are safer for everyone.”
The top three winners will have their videos aired on WFSB-TV and will be showcased with the contest finalists on the DMV web site. Promotional sponsors of the contest include the Connecticut Police Chief’s Association, Mourning Parents Act (!MPACT- a bereaved parents group), Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
This year, the deadline for submitting a video is no later than December 30. For more information on the contest and a compete description of the rules please go to ct.gov/teendriving/contest.
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