DENVER - The idea was hatched during National Teen Driver Safety Week by the Colorado Department of Transportation. The plan: to allow students to come up with public service announcements that encourage fellow teens to stop texting while driving.
"Nearly 100 entries came in from all over the state," said Heather Halpape of CDOT. "We just thought kids listen to kids better than they listen to adults, so the hope was that if they had a direct buy-in as the new law is enacted, they will pay more attention to the message."
The new measure becomes law December 1st and it makes talking and texting illegal for anyone under 18 years of age and it makes texting illegal for all drivers across the state.
"Our class here at Castle View High in Castle Rock was given a class project to make a PSA, so we teamed up and produced print, video and radio spots," said student Ben Strong. "We learned a lot with the project and hope that our message gets to young people around the state as the new law takes effect."
While the winning projects will be seen in the media soon,aAll of those who entered the contest are winners, as they now know more about the dangers of distracted driving.
"Nearly 100 entries came in from all over the state," said Heather Halpape of CDOT. "We just thought kids listen to kids better than they listen to adults, so the hope was that if they had a direct buy-in as the new law is enacted, they will pay more attention to the message."
The new measure becomes law December 1st and it makes talking and texting illegal for anyone under 18 years of age and it makes texting illegal for all drivers across the state.
"Our class here at Castle View High in Castle Rock was given a class project to make a PSA, so we teamed up and produced print, video and radio spots," said student Ben Strong. "We learned a lot with the project and hope that our message gets to young people around the state as the new law takes effect."
While the winning projects will be seen in the media soon,aAll of those who entered the contest are winners, as they now know more about the dangers of distracted driving.
