В Луизиане стартовал конкурс для школьников по пропаганде безопасного вождения

DOTD launches ‘Buckle Up, Phone Down’ contest for Louisiana teens High schoolers can win cash prizes for promoting safe driving habits LOUISIANA (KNOE) - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and Destination Zero Deaths (DZD) announced the launch of the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” High School Video and Pledge Contest on Tuesday. The contest runs from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, encouraging teens to advocate for safe driving habits. Louisiana high school students can submit videos emphasizing the importance of wearing seat belts and driving without distraction. Judges will select the top three entries to receive cash prizes provided by AAA. DOTD officials said they also encourage all Louisiana residents to take the safety pledge online. The pledge commits drivers to avoiding phone use, speaking up as passengers, and always buckling up. “The habits young drivers form today can last a lifetime,” DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet said. “One moment of distraction or one trip without a seat belt can change a life forever.” The initiative addresses a critical safety need in the state. Distracted or inattentive driving factored into 168 of Louisiana’s 766 traffic fatalities in 2025—accounting for nearly 22% of all road deaths. Additionally, distraction was associated with 34.2% of all fatal and serious roadway injuries last year. Students and community members can find contest rules and the online pledge at destinationzerodeaths.com. Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.