DATE: January 14, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Richard Sluman
Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services
PHONE: 954-357-5235
EMAIL: rsluman@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - All public and private high school students are invited to help us spread the word that texting and driving is a deadly combination. Got a video camera? Write and produce an original Public Service Announcement that tells everyone to “Take 5 to Stay Alive - Don’t Text & Drive.”
Broward County, in partnership with Broward County Public Schools, BECON-TV, Broward Regional EMS Council, Memorial Health Care, American Ambulance, Sunrise Fire Rescue and Plantation Fire Department, is launching the 2nd Annual “Take 5 to Stay Alive” Student Video Contest. The contest encourages teens to create effective 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 through February 26, 2015. Every contestant will be invited to a "red carpet" screening of the winning videos along with a presentation of prizes and awards on March 19th at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale.
Indy Lights Race Car Champion and Take 5 spokesperson Gabby Chaves states, “It's vital to reach young drivers with this important message. As young people gain the privilege to drive, it's important that they do so with safe intentions. They need to know that it's imperative that they put the phone down when driving and not be distracted."
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Fortunately, these accidents can be prevented with basic safe driving tips. 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.
About Medical Examiner and Trauma Services
The Broward County Office of the Medical Examiner and Trauma Services brings expert and independent medical evaluation to the investigation of deaths that are of concern to public health, safety and welfare of the community. The Office investigates cases of persons who die within its District 17 jurisdictional boundaries from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent good health, when not recently treated by a physician, while incarcerated or in any suspicious or unusual manner. The Office also approves the cremations of persons who die within Broward County or are transported to Broward County for the purpose of cremation after death in another state or country. For more information, call 954-357-5200 or visit broward.org/MedicalExaminer.
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