Win up to $1K for making a video on distracted driving in Vermont

Vermont high schoolers can use their creativity to promote safe driving through a video contest, according to a community announcement.

The announcement, from the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance, describes how this year’s contest challenges teens to create public service announcements that discourage distracted driving. The theme is “Focus Drives Your Future.”

The contest is open to students in grades 9-12, either individually or in teams of two. More than $2,500 in cash prizes will be awarded, and winning videos will be shared statewide through media and educational outreach, according to the announcement.

“Distracted driving continues to be one of the most dangerous behaviors on our roads, especially for young drivers,” said Diana Gugliotta, executive director of the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance. “This contest empowers teens to speak directly to their peers, using their own voices and creativity to influence real change and help prevent crashes, injuries and deaths.”

Students are encouraged to address distractions such as using phones to text, check social media or adjust music or GPS maps, along with distractions from passengers, eating or drinking, grooming, pets or heightened emotions.

The videos must be 30, 45 or 60 seconds long and comply with Vermont traffic laws. Videos may not depict distracted driving, include brand logos or use copyrighted material without permission. Participants must reside in Vermont or be enrolled in a Vermont public or private high school, homeschool program or eligible New Hampshire cross-border school.

Thanks to sponsorship from AAA Northern New England, Co-operative Insurance Companies, the Vermont Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, Yankee Driving School, Westside Driving and the Vermont Construction Association, prizes include:

• 1st Place: $1,000
• 2nd Place: $750
• 3rd Place: $500
• Educational Support Prize: $250

The Educational Support Prize will be awarded to the teacher whose students submit the most entries.

Students are encouraged to visit VermontHighwaySafety.org to review the distracted driving lesson and the 2026 rules and guidelines before creating their video. Videos can be submitted using the online entry form.

The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. March 20. Winners will be announced April 10, and prizes will be awarded in a ceremony at the Statehouse on April 15.

This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.