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WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Teens from the District of Columbia and the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia are being invited to help spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving in the second annual Drive Safe D.C. PSA (public service announcement) Contest, sponsored by The National Road Safety Foundation in conjunction with the Washington Auto Show, which runs from April 5-14, 2019.  Area teens ages 13 through 19 are invited to submit ideas for a 30-second public service announcement that warns of the dangers of distracted driving.

The winner will receive $2,000 and an Emmy Award-winning director will come to his or her school to make the idea into a finished TV public service announcement that will debut at the Washington Auto Show before airing on more than 150 TV stations nationwide.  One runner-up will receive $1,000.

"Even as today's new cars are safer than ever, with innovations that help avoid crashes and protect occupants, distracted driving continues to be a major factor in crashes that results in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries," said Washington Auto Show Chairman John Ourisman.  "The Drive Safe D.C. contest will get young people involved in a solution by creating impactful messages to their peers and to all drivers that distracted driving is dangerous driving."

Teens who live in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia are invited to enter by sending a script, descriptive paragraph or storyboards for a TV ad that reminds people not to drive distracted.   The deadline for entries is March 5, 2019.  The first 100 entries received will get two free tickets to the Washington Auto Show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates more than 3,300 people are killed every year due to distracted driving, and tens of thousands more are injured.  Texting and cell phone use get the most attention, but drivers can be distracted many other things including use of other mobile devices like GPS, adjusting sound system controls, eating and talking with passengers.

"We hope Drive Safe D.C. will engage young people to change behavior by spreading the message to their peers and their communities about the dangers of distracted driving," said Michelle Anderson of The National Road Safety Foundation, a non-profit that promotes safe driving behavior.  

Information about distracted driving and the Drive Safe D.C. PSA Contest, including contest rules and entry form, can be seen at http://www.nrsf.org/teenlane.org/content/drive-safe-dc 

The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc. (NRSF) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that for 55 years has been dedicated to reducing crashes, deaths and injuries on our nation's highways by promoting safe driving habits through greater public awareness.

NRSF produces educational programs for broadcast and for use in safety, educational and enforcement programs by police, teachers, traffic safety agencies, healthcare professionals, youth advocacy groups and other grass-roots related agencies, as well as federal, state and local government agencies. NRSF programs, which are free, address distracted driving, speed and aggression, impaired driving, drowsy driving, driver proficiency and pedestrian safety. The Foundation works with youth advocacy groups and sponsors contests to engage teens in promoting safe driving to their peers and in their communities.  For information or to download free programs, visit www.nrsf.org or www.teenlane.org.

ABOUT THE WASHINGTON AUTO SHOW

The 2019 Washington Auto Show, April 5 to April 14, is one of the five top auto shows in the nation

 and is the largest indoor consumer event in the District of Columbia. It is preceded by two show-sponsored industry events, Public Policy Days and the MobilityTalks International Conference, with both taking place April 2-4, 2019, when industry leaders, global public policy makers and members of Congress will discuss proposed and existing rules and laws governing the automotive industry. The show takes place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where more than 35 automakers will display over 600 vehicles.

For more information on The Washington Auto Show visit: www.washingtonautoshow.com

SOURCE The National Road Safety Foundation