BARRE — In conjunction with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance (VHSA) has announced the third annual #802phonesdown!headsup! video public service announcement contest. The contest is open to high-school students and designed to encourage young drivers and their friends and peers to avoid distracted driving. As much as $2,000 will be awarded to the winning PSAs.

Every distracted-driving death is preventable. A few seconds can change a life forever. Unfortunately, people text and drive on Vermont roads every day, despite a law that forbids it. The goal for contest entrants is to research this important issue and produce a compelling 25-second video that can enact change and spread the message that distracted driving is unacceptable. The VHSA hopes that videos produced by high-school students will offer a relatable perspective for other young drivers.
The VHSA said the contest is still open for submissions even with schools operating under unusual circumstances.
Entries may be submitted until April 15. The winning videos will be announced May 15 and distributed on social media by the VHSA and safety partners.
The contest is sponsored by the VHSA, Co-operative Insurance Companies, Midstate Dodge, AAA New England, Yankee Driving School, and the Youth Safety Council of Vermont.
For more information, visit vermonthighwaysafety.org/psa- video-contest.
View last year’s first-place video online here.