Speak Your Mind impaired driving awareness contest begins
By Adnews Staff
The Traffic Injury Research Foundation, Arrive Alive and Young Drivers of Canada have begun a contest promotion called "Speak Your Mind." The promotion encourages youth between the ages of 15 and 25 to submit video public service announcements on the subject of impaired driving. The goal of the contest is to engage Canadian youth in a conversation about the reduction of impaired driving and to share strategies to avoid drinking and driving. Participants can submit a 15- or 30-second video based on the current public service announcement, posters and web content of these organizations. Videos will be posted on YouTube for public voting until Sept. 15. Submissions will be judged on accuracy of information, use of positive messages and artistic merit. Winning videos will be turned into radio and television announcements and distributed to media outlets nationally. Winners in various categories will also receive a Young Drivers of Canada novice driver training program. "Even though youth are less likely to drink and drive relative to other age groups still almost one third of fatally injured drivers who were legally impaired while driving are aged 25 or younger," said foundation president and CEO, Robyn Robertson. "The contest was designed to encourage youth to learn the facts about impaired driving and use their creative energy to share their reasons for choosing not to drink and drive."