MN Teens Could Win Big with new "Don't Text and Drive" Video Contest

Alexandria, MN - Minnesota teens, fire up those video cameras, you could win big in the "Don't Text and Drive" TV Commercial Challenge.

This challenge is through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and AAA Minnesota/Iowa Don't Text and Drive, Teens! TV Commercial Challenge.

Minnesota teens in grades 9-12 are eligible to create and produce a 30-second TV spot to show the dangers of texting while driving. The 30-second spot would also include solutions to avoid the dangerous and illegal behavior.

Drivers, no matter what age, can face up to $300 in fines for texting, e-mailing, composing messages and web browsing while driving.

"The purpose of this contest is to engage teens in thinking about and addressing a going traffic safety issue," says Gordy Pehrson, youth traffic safety coordinator of DPS Office of Traffic Safety.

According to DPS, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. In 2006-2008 alone 118 teens, ages 16-19, were killed and another 577 were seriously injured.

"Texting requires the use of both hands and eyes and so does driving," says Pehrson.

DPS, AAA Minnesota/Iowa and a teen panel will select the top spots in spring 2010 for an online voting period.

The first, second and third place finishers will be awarded $1,000, $600 and $400. The winning spot will make a television broadcast premiere in spring 2010.

For rules and an entry form visit the website http://www.dps.state.mn.us/ots/teens/PSAContest2010/ContestDetails2010.asp.

Written for the web by Emily Deem.

edeem@ksax.com