Montgomery County public and private high school students can win a PS5, Apple Watch or up to $800 in Amazon gift cards by entering a video in the Department of Transportation’s “Heads Up, Phones Down” contest.
The DOT Is looking for 30-second public service announcements from young people that urge peers not to be distracted by cell phones while driving or walking.
“Adolescence is a time when peer messaging resonates,” County Executive Marc Elrich said in a press release. “This peer-to-peer safety advocacy will help raise awareness of the need for everyone, drivers and walkers, to stay alert and not be distracted while traveling.”
Entries are open to individuals or teams of up to four people. For individuals, first prize is a PS5, first runner up will receive an Apple Watch, and the second runner up a tripod for a mobile phone.
There will also be a People’s Choice contest and that winner will be awarded a $100 Nike gift card.
Winning team members will split $800 in Amazon gift cards for first place, $400 in cards for first runner up, and $200 for second runner up. Each member of the team winning People’s Choice will receive a $100 Nike gift card.
Students can also qualify for up to five Student Service Learning hours for submitting an entry.
Contest entries will be accepted beginning Feb. 1 to Feb. 22.
Winning entries will be announced live on Instagram at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 11, and will be posted on the MCDOT website.
More information about the contest is also on the site.
“An NIH study found that when distracted by cell phone use, children were less attentive to traffic; left less safe time between their crossing and the next arriving vehicle; experienced more collisions and close calls with oncoming traffic; and waited longer before beginning to cross the street,” DOT Director Chris Conklin said. “We hope this contest helps serve as a reminder to avoid being distracted by cell phones.”
Montgomery County graphic