The Georgia Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the media organization “We Are Teachers,” has launched a new statewide video contest to engage students in the fight against distracted driving.
[Above image by Georgia DOT]
The “Every Second Counts” video contest invites state residents between the ages of 13 and 18 currently enrolled in public, private, or home school programs in Georgia to create short, impactful public service announcements or PSAs emphasizing how even a few seconds of distraction behind the wheel can lead to dangerous or deadly consequences.
Students are encouraged to submit their videos by June 8 through the official contest webpage.
The campaign aims to empower students to speak directly to their peers and community through creative storytelling and video production, explained Russell McMurry, Georgia DOT commissioner, in a statement.
“We know that young people can be some of the most powerful advocates for change,” said McMurry, who also serves as the vice president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
“This contest gives them the tools and the platform to raise awareness and make a real difference in how their friends and families think about driving,” he added. “We’re excited to see the creativity of Georgia’s students in helping spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving.”
[Editor’s note: On April 29, McMurry and Georgia DOT District 1 Engineer Jason Dykes spoke at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Transportation Forum, where they shared updates on key infrastructure projects and safety initiatives affecting Northeast Georgia and beyond.]
Prizes await the creators of the winning videos, which will not only be showcased on the Georgia DOT website but will also be utilized in future outreach initiatives.
The contest is part of the broader Keep Georgia Safe program, launched in March 2024, that seeks to bring road safety education to K–12 classrooms statewide. Through interactive games, lesson plans, virtual field trips, and printable resources, the program aims to help build a “culture of safety” for the next generation.
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