CA teens produce 'safe driving' video, win top AAA award

It is quite normal for parents of an inexperienced teenage driver to feel nervous whenever their son or daughter gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

That's because drivers between ages 15 and 19 are responsible for the highest number of road collisions than any other age group, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

In fact, current statistics show that nearly 50% of teen drivers are convicted of a traffic violation during their first year as licensed drivers.

With driver inattention contributing to an estimated 8,000 crashes each year in the United States, driver education and public awareness have become major points of concern, particularly when it comes to minors.

In a crucial effort to drive home the importance of better addressing driving issues among teens, the Automobile Club of California (AAA) recently challenged area-wide adolescents to produce a 60-second video about the dangers of inattentive driving.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE WINNING VIDEO

A panel of judges, which consisted of law enforcement groups and other organizations, narrowed the field of 118 submissions to a selection of five.

Of the five, the top three entries were chosen by the general public, via online voting.

Students from Sacred Heart High School in Los Angeles won $2,500 in cash for creating a lively and colorful video featuring a Bollywood dance troupe that learns a big lesson about driving recklessly.

"Many people think texting or using a phone while driving are the main things that can cause a crash, stated award-winning teen director Danessa Inguito in the June issue of Westways magazine. "But there are a lot of other distracting activities, like listening to music, doing makeup, even talking."

The nine students who participated in the victorious video production have donated their earnings to their school to purchase new computer equipment.

Runners-up in the competition included students from Calabasas High School in Calabasas and Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo.

To view the top five videos, follow this link.

SharonBush@me.com