ST. PAUL — Minnesota teenagers are invited to shine lights and aim cameras on the issue of distraction behind the wheel in a TV public service announcement contest. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety and AAA Minnesota/Iowa are coordinating the 2011 Don’t Drive Distracted, Teens! TV Commercial Challenge.
Minnesota teens in grades 9–12 are eligible to create and produce a 30-second TV spot to communicate the dangers associated with distracted driving — as well as solutions to avoiding distractions behind the wheel. Spots are due to DPS by April 18, 2011. Find rules and entry forms at http://www.dps.state.mn.us/ots, and click ―’Teen Drivers’ on the left side of the page.
The contest is one opportunity for teens to specifically address the distracted driving problem to their friends and classmates.
The top spots will be selected by DPS and AAA Minnesota/Iowa for a public online vote in May 2011. AAA Minnesota/Iowa will award first-, second- and third-place finishers with $1,000, $600 and $400, respectively.
The winning spot will also make its television broadcast premiere on the MTV Video Music Awards this fall.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens — a group overrepresented each year due to driver inexperience, risk-taking behavior, distractions, nighttime driving, speeding and seat belt non-use. During 2007–2009, 107 teens (ages 16–19), were killed and another 565 were seriously injured in crashes.
Driver distraction is a leading factor in crashes in Minnesota, accounting for at least 21 percent of all crashes annually, resulting in at least 70 deaths and 350 injuries. DPS reports these numbers are vastly underreported due to officers’ challenges to determine ―distraction‖ as a contributing crash factor.
DPS offers these tips to minimize distractions:
* Cell phones — turn off cell phones, or place them out of reach to avoid the urge to dial or answer. If a passenger is present, ask them to handle calls/texts.
* Music and other controls — pre-program favorite radio stations for easy access and arrange music (mp3 player/CDs/tapes) in an easy-to-access spot. Adjust mirrors and heat/AC before traveling, or ask a passenger to assist.
* Navigation — designate a passenger to serve as a co-pilot to help with directions. If driving alone, map out destinations in advance, and pull over to study a map.
* Eating and drinking — if you cannot avoid food/beverage, at least avoid messy foods, and be sure food and drinks are secured.
* Children — teach children the importance of good behavior in a vehicle; do not underestimate how distracting it can be to tend to children while driving.
* If you’re a passenger, speak up to stop drivers from distracted driving behavior and volunteer to handle music/other controls and answer calls/texts.
* If making or receiving a call to or from someone driving, ask them to call back when they are not behind the wheel.
