California Casualty
Mark Goldberg, 719.532.8436
mgoldberg@calcas.com
Impact Teen Drivers
Kelly Browning, Ph.D., 916.733.7432
kbrowning@impactteendrivers.org
Students Awarded Prizes in National “Create Real Impact” Teen Safe Driving Campaign
San Mateo, CA, October 25, 2018 – Creative messages showcasing the dangers of distracted driving have paid off for students across the country, thanks to the Create Real Impact awards from Impact Teen Drivers and California Casualty.
A total of $12,000 in educational grants was awarded for works warning teens about inattentive or reckless driving. The announcement of winners coincided with National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 21-27.
Judges chose the following for $1,500 grand prize grants:
- Sarah P., Groveland, FL, in the writing category for the essay, “Can We Not Wait”
- Isabel B., Miami, FL, in the music category for the song “Promise Me”
- Mia L., Blacksburg, VA, in the video category for “Cooking with Kay Oss”
- Tristen T., San Diego, CA, in the art category for the poster “Pay Attention”
The schools with the largest number of entries were Village Academy of Film and Technology in Pomona, California; West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington, Delaware. Each of the schools received $1,000.
The winning entries can be viewed at www.createrealimpact.com.
The contest encourages peer-to-peer messages and creative expression from students to help stem the deadly tide of distracted and reckless driving, the number one killer of young drivers.
The National Safety Council has issued a call to action after a sudden and dramatic rise in traffic deaths the past three years, many caused by reckless actions or drivers not paying attention to the road. It’s estimated that teens who text while driving have a 400 percent greater risk of being in an auto crash than an adult.
“I have confidence teens can change the culture of driving to one that is distraction free – much like earlier generations did with seat belts,” said Kelly Browning, Ph.D., Executive Director, Impact Teen Drivers. “The Create Real Impact Contest provides an opportunity for teens to join the conversation and do something about the problem.”
Students ages 14-22 were invited to offer their artistic solutions to this critical teen driving danger with essays, artwork, videos and music. More than 1,000 submissions were received, and winners were determined by a panel of judges and by online voting for prizes ranging from $500 to $1,500.
Impact Teen Drivers has reached more than two million teens since 2007. The Create Real Impact contest began in 2009. California Casualty is a founding partner of the nonprofit and continues to provide support for the contest. California Casualty representatives will help present checks to the winning schools and awardees.
“What I like best about the Create Real Impact contest is that it is all about students employing their creativity to deliver a critically important message to their peers: You can make a choice to help stop the tragedies that result from reckless and distracted driving,” said California Casualty CEO Beau Brown.
The 2019 Spring Create Real Impact contest will take place after the New Year. Entries will be taken at www.createrealimpact.com. For more information on how to get schools and students involved, please contact info@impactteendrivers.org.
Headquartered in San Mateo, California, with Service Centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas, California Casualty provides auto and home insurance to educators, firefighters, law enforcement and nurses across the country. Founded in 1914, California Casualty has been led by four generations of the Brown family. To learn more about California Casualty, or to request an auto insurance quote, please visit www.calcas.com or call 1.800.800.9410.
