Drive Safe Chicago Contest Invites Teens To Help Spread Message About Dangers Of Drowsy Driving

Finalists To Work With Emmy-Winning Director To Create PSA That Debuts At Chicago Auto Show Before Airing Nationwide; Public Will Select Winner of $2,000 Prize Via Online Voting

News provided by

The National Road Safety Foundation

Oct 02, 2018, 10:00 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Teens from Chicagoland, Illinois and neighboring states are being invited to help spread the word about the dangers of drowsy driving, as the fifth annual Drive Safe Chicago PSA Contest launches. The contest, which invites teens to submit ideas for a 30-second public service announcement about drowsy driving, is sponsored by The National Road Safety Foundation in conjunction with the Chicago Auto Show, which runs from Feb. 9 – 18, 2019 at McCormick Place.

Three finalists will be selected and an Emmy Award-winning director will come to their schools to work with them to develop their ideas into finished TV public service spots. The public will then be invited to cast votes online to select the winner, who will get a $2,000 prize. The winning spot will debut at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show and will be shown on the show's social media video wall throughout the show. It will also air on the nationally-syndicated TV show "Teen Kids News" on 150 TV stations nationwide. The first runner-up will receive $1,000 and the second runner-up gets $500.

"We look forward to seeing creative messages about drowsy driving from young people who enter the Drive Safe Chicago contest," said Ray Scarpelli Jr., 2019 Chicago Auto Show chairman. "Today's new cars have technology to warn drivers if they appear to be drowsy, but the ultimate responsibility to be awake and alert is with the driver. It is an important message not only for young people but for all drivers."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates more than 5,000 people are killed every year due to drowsy driving, and nearly 500,000 more are injured.

Teens who live in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa are invited to enter by sending a script or storyboards for a TV ad that reminds people not to drive drowsy. Entries must be received by Jan. 8, 2019 and the winner will be announced at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. All entrants will receive two free tickets to the show.

Last year's winner was Haynen Johnson from Valparaiso, Ind. His PSA can be viewed at http://www.nrsf.org/sites/default/files/materials/nrsf-drivesafe-chicago-winner-tasteless.mp4.

"Young people need more sleep than adults, yet too many of them don't get enough sleep," said Michelle Anderson of The National Road Safety Foundation, a non-profit group that promotes safe driving behavior. "They think they can function and drive on minimal sleep, but they can't. The Drive Safe Chicago contest is a way for teens to get important drowsy driving messages out to their peers and to all drivers."

Information about drowsy driving and the Drive Safe Chicago Contest, including contest rules and entry form, can be seen at www.nrsf.org/teenlane/contests/drive-safe-chicago. More information about the 2019 Chicago Auto Show can be found at www.ChicagoAutoShow.com.

The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc. (NRSF), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization founded more than 55 years ago, produces traffic safety programs on distracted driving, speed and aggression, impaired driving, drowsy driving, driver proficiency, pedestrian safety and a host of other safety issues. It distributes the programs free of charge to schools, police and traffic safety advocates, community groups and individuals. It also sponsors contests to engage teens in promoting safe driving to their peers and in their communities. For more information or to download free programs, visit www.nrsf.org or www.teenlane.org.

The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America, spanning more than one million square feet of production, concept, and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North American vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2.5 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2019 public show will be Feb. 9-18. For more information, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com or www.Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.

Media Contact:
David Reich
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[email protected]

SOURCE The National Road Safety Foundation