National Press Release

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among teens, claiming some 5,000 young lives annually. Young people are invited to help spread the word about risky behavior on the road, including texting and other forms of distracted driving, driving while under the influence, speeding and failure to buckle up. Two traffic safety non-profit groups have joined forces to host a search for the best youth-generated ideas for public service messages that will be professionally produced and aired during National Youth Traffic Safety Month next May.

The Drive to Life PSA Competition is organized by The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc., which produces traffic safety education programs distributed free to schools, police and others, and National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS), a coalition of national organizations, business and industry leaders, and federal partners that focus on youth safety and influences more than 80 million young people and their adult school advisors. Other partners include the U.S. Department of Transportation and Seventeen Magazine.

"The Drive to Life Competition will engage young people in communicating important safe driving messages in their own voice," said Sandy Spavone, NOYS Executive Director. "It is the goal of NOYS to empower youth to become an integral part of the youth traffic safety education and public awareness efforts. Rewarding their creative efforts through scholarships and the opportunity to see their PSA concept professionally developed will help to support our efforts to encourage youth to get involved."

"It's a great opportunity for a young person's creative idea to come to life as a professionally-produced public service announcement," added David Reich, Public Relations Director of The National Road Safety Foundation.

The contest was announced via live webcast to schools nationwide from the Distracted Driving Summit in Washington. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood convened more than 300 safety experts to discuss the growing epidemic of drivers causing fatal crashes because they were distracted while behind the wheel.

"Young people have the power to educate not only their peers but also adults about all the responsibilities that come along with driving. When you get behind the wheel your focus should be on the road and safety should be your number one priority," said Secretary LaHood.

Entries are invited for a 15- or 30-second PSA concept addressing distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding and aggressive driving, drowsy driving and/or use of seat belts. Entries may be scripts, storyboards or treatments -- no video will be accepted.

The winner will receive a $1,000 cash scholarship and a trip to New York to work with a professional director as he takes the winning entry from concept to a completed PSA.

Visit www.drivetolife.com.

To see press release go to http://myprgenie.com/2610

SOURCE The National Road Safety Foundation