Pittsford, Vt. — Vermont high school students are called to use their creativity, passion, and influence to prevent crashes and help save lives on the road. The Vermont Highway Safety Alliance (VHSA) is now accepting entries for its 2026 PSA Video Contest, themed “Focus Drives Your Future,” which challenges teens to take a stand against distracted driving.

Open to students in grades 9–12, the annual contest invites individuals or two-person teams to produce a short public service announcement (PSA) encouraging safe, focused driving. More than $2,500 in cash prizes will be awarded, with winning videos shared statewide through media and educational outreach.

“Distracted driving continues to be one of the most dangerous behaviors on our roads, especially for young drivers,” said Diana Gugliotta, Executive Director of the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance. “This contest empowers teens to speak directly to their peers, using their own voices and creativity to influence real change and help prevent crashes, injuries, and deaths.”

Students are encouraged to address common distractions such as texting or phone use, social media, GPS or music adjustments, passengers, eating or drinking, grooming, pets, or emotional distractions. Videos should deliver a strong peer-to-peer message that resonates with teens and young adults.

PSAs must be 30, 45, or 60 seconds in length and comply with Vermont traffic laws. Videos may not depict distracted driving, include brand logos, or use copyrighted material without permission. Eligible participants must reside in Vermont or be enrolled in a Vermont public or private high school, homeschool program, or an eligible New Hampshire cross-border school.

Thanks to generous sponsorship from AAA Northern New England, Co-operative Insurance Companies, the Vermont Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (VDTSEA), Yankee Driving School, Westside Driving, and the Vermont Construction Association, prizes include:

• 1st Place: $1,000
  
• 2nd Place: $750
  
• 3rd Place: $500
  
• Educational Support Prize: $250
  

The Educational Support Prize will be awarded to the teacher whose students submit the most entries, helping support classroom curriculum and encouraging student engagement.

Before creating a PSA, students should visit VermontHighwaySafety.org to review the distracted driving lesson created and the 2026 Contest Rules & Guidelines, then submit their video using the online entry form.

The submission deadline is March 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be announced on April 10th and prizes will be awarded in a ceremony at the Vermont State House on April 15th.

Call to Action:

Students, parents, teachers, and schools are encouraged to spread the word and participate. Information is available online at VermontHighwaySafety.org. By avoiding distractions and focusing on the road, Vermont’s teens can help drive a safer future for everyone.