The 2017 SADD “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Distracted” National Video and Meme/GIF Contest
Traffic fatalities are increasing across the country and crashes caused by distracted driving are increasing faster than those caused by drunk driving, speeding and failing to wear seat belts. Clearly we need to do something about it now. As a society we look at drunk driving differently than distracted driving. The vast majority of us would not drive drunk and would take the keys from someone who was drunk. But many of us drive distracted and are reluctant to speak up when we see others driving distracted. So we need to change the way we look at distracted driving and that includes speaking up when others drive distracted. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk and should also not let friends drive distracted.
At EndDD.org we know just how caring and creative students can be. We have spoken with more than 325,000 students across the country and Canada and believe that students can lead the way in changing driving attitudes and behaviors. Each day 10 people are killed and more than 1000 injured in distracted driving crashes. More than 50% of serious teen crashes are now believed to be distraction-related. Until distracted driving becomes socially unacceptable we will continue to have distracted driving crashes and tragedies.
Teens have the power to influence other teens in many positive ways, including safe driving. So what can teens do to keep themselves and other teens safe from distracted driving crashes? Teens can take their energy, enthusiasm and imagination to create life-saving messages that will resonate with other teens to make distracted driving socially unacceptable. That is why we have joined with SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), AAJ (American Association for Justice), and the law firm of Anapol Weiss to work with teens and incentivize them to create original videos and memes to spread the message that if we care about our friends we will not let them drive distracted. SADD is a great student organization that helps students become leaders and supports students’ efforts to make a difference in their communities. SADD students will help save lives by reducing distracted driving crashes.
Students from SADD- affiliated schools are eligible to submit videos up to 1 minute in length, or memes / GIFS (less than 10 seconds), that focus on one or more of these themes:
- Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Distracted
- Caring friends will speak up even if it may be uncomfortable to do so
- It’s not cool to drive distracted
- Distracted driving is selfish, disrespectful, and inconsiderate
- Even though our parents drive distracted, we won’t
- Big brothers and sisters must model distraction-free driving for their younger siblings
- Distracted drivers can’t be defensive drivers
There will be six winners total – three meme winners and three video winners. First place prize winners will be awarded $5,000; second place will receive $2,500 and third place will receive $1,000. First place winners will also receive four tickets (per winning group) to the 2017 concert of their choice, including acts like Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ariana Grande and more – compliments of RD Music.
Winning videos and memes/GIFs will be used in EndDD.org student presentations across the country and promoted through a variety of social media networks to spread the life-saving messages developed by the students. Contest judges will include: Brent Celek, professional football player for the Philadelphia Eagles and founder of Brent Celek’s Take Flight Foundation; Nikky Williams, television host and ESPN reporter; Deborah Hersman, President and CEO of the National Safety Council; Jonathan Adkins, Executive Director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Association; Kirtana Choragudi, SADD National Student of the Year; Sol H. Weiss, Esq, President of Anapol Weiss and Julie Braman Kane, Esq., President of the American Association for Justice.
If a school does not have a SADD chapter it is easy and free to start a chapter. All details about the contest can be found at https://www.enddd.org/2017-video-contest/ Entries must be received by March 31, 2017 with winners being announced on April 14, 2017.
Working together we can end distracted driving and save lives.
For more information e-mail [email protected]
