NJM Insurance Group Announces Winners of Connecticut “Just Drive” PSA Contest
June 8, 2023Awards totaling $22,500 presented to winning schools during FOX61 Student News Ceremony
WEST TRENTON, NJ — NJM Insurance Group (NJM), in partnership with Impact Teen Drivers (ITD), is awarding $22,500 to the winning Connecticut high schools in the third annual “Just Drive” public service announcement (PSA) Video Contest.
Students representing 15 high schools in Connecticut created social media campaigns with 30-second video PSAs highlighting the dangers of distracted driving and positive solutions to help end it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car crashes are a leading cause of preventable deaths for teens.
The winners were announced on June 7 during the 2023 FOX61 Student News Awards Ceremony at the University of Hartford. FOX61 and Impact Teen Drivers held fall and spring workshops to help students write and produce the PSAs.
The three winning schools are:
-
First Place: Wilton High School (Wilton, CT) won $10,000 for the PSA “Be the Driver You Want Your Kid to Be,” which focused on the important role that parents play as the number one influencer of their teens’ attitudes and behaviors including the choices they make behind the wheel.
-
Second Place: Simsbury High School (Simsbury, CT) won $7,500 for the PSA “Just Drive,” which described the four types of distractions and reminds teens that driving while distracted is against the law.
-
Third Place: Foran High School (Milford, CT) won $5,000 for the PSA “Who Do You Drive Safe For?,” which described the alarming number of car crashes each year across the United States due to driving while distracted and the ripple effect that it has on so many lives.
The competition presents a creative opportunity for teens to express safe driving practices. The winning schools put their prize money towards a post-prom, post-graduation, or safe driving program.
“Our partner, Impact Teen Drivers, does a great job engaging students to promote a culture of safety within their schools,” said Erica Rosso, NJM Consumer Safety Partnership and Program Supervisor. “This contest amplifies the power of teen voices as they raise awareness about the danger of distracted driving. Their collaborative work gives us promise that safer roads are achievable.”
“The Connecticut Just Drive Contest invites young people to use their talents and take an active role in promoting the health and safety of drivers and passengers,” said Kelly Browning, Ph.D., executive director of Impact Teen Drivers. “We are grateful for NJM’s continued support that allows us to provide our evidence-based programs to engage, educate, and empower Connecticut teens and their influencers to make lifesaving decisions in the car.”
About NJM Insurance Group
Founded in 1913, NJM is among the Mid-Atlantic region’s leading property and casualty insurers. The Company operates in a mutual fashion for the exclusive benefit of its policyholders and is consistently recognized for its award-winning customer service, superior claims handling procedures, and overall customer satisfaction. NJM’s personal insurance products are available direct to consumers in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The Company also works with a preferred network of independent agents to deliver business insurance in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Visit njm.com to learn more.
About NJM’s Teen Driver Safety Program
NJM’s Teen Driver Safety Programs are offered at no cost to high schools in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. NJM’s research-based programs empower parents and teens with the information and resources they need to build safe driving skills. The Programs have reached more than 1.2 million parents and teens since their launch in 2013 and have been repeatedly recognized by the National Safety Council. For more information about NJM’s Teen Driver Safety Programs, or to schedule a program in your area please visit njm.com/teen-driver-safety.