Staff Report

Deerfield Beach, FL – The seemingly innocent action of checking a text message while driving is often the reason that so many people die in preventable car accidents. Because motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, Broward County public and private high school students are invited to help spread the word that texting and driving are a deadly combination in the “Take 5 to Stay Alive – Don’t Text & Drive,” video contest.

Students are encouraged to use their video camera or phone to write and produce an original Public Service Announcement that tells everyone to

The contest is made possible through a partnership with Broward County, Broward County Public Schools BECON-TV and Driver’s Education Program, Broward Health, Broward Regional EMS Council, Memorial Healthcare System and Sunrise Fire Rescue. The contest encourages teens to create messages for safe driving by submitting an original 30- or 60-second Public Service Announcement to remind their peers not to text and drive.

The contest runs January 11 through March 4. Every contestant will be invited to a “red carpet” screening of the videos along with a presentation of prizes and awards on April 6.

“As the lead organization for ‘Take 5 to Stay Alive,’ we realize competition is a great venue for educating young drivers. We further believe that the students’ participation in the production of this PSA will heighten the awareness of the dangers of texting and driving. The PSA will engage a dialogue among peers on the importance of being off the phone or any electronic device while operating a vehicle,” said Dr. Igor Nichiporenko, Trauma Medical Director for Broward Health North.

The student video contest is one strategy the ‘Take 5’ campaign has initiated to improve the well-being of young drivers in Broward County.

For additional information about the “Take 5 to Stay Alive – Don’t Text & Drive” student video contest and submission details, visit Broward.org/Take5.