Promoting Awareness of the Dangers of Distracted Driving

Promoting Awareness of the Dangers of Distracted Driving Anyone who has a driver’s license should be fully aware of how dangerous distracted driving can be, yet millions of drivers continue to engage in texting, talking on the phone, using apps, or even taking selfies while they are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these distracted drivers caused an estimated 391,000 injuries and took 3,477 lives in the United States in 2015 alone. Despite efforts by advocacy groups to educate drivers and increasingly strict state laws prohibiting texting or cell phone use while driving, the number of distracted driving accidents, injuries, and tragedies is not decreasing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 1,000 people sustain injuries and nine people lose their lives in distracted driving accidents each day in the United States. This is a major health crisis, however, it does not have to be. Drivers have the choice to remain focused on the road and to keep their smartphones and other devices silent and tucked away when driving. The law office of Polito & Harrington, LLC wants everyone to arrive at their destinations safely in Connecticut and, therefore, wants to help spread awareness of the devastating effects of distracted driving. We also believe in the importance of education and strive to assist students to achieve their goals despite the high cost of higher education. For these reasons, our firm is holding an essay contest regarding distracted driving and the selected winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Details about the Scholarship Contest

To be eligible for the scholarship, participants must show enrollment for the Spring of 2018 in an accredited high school, university, college, or law school in the U.S. Students wishing to participate should carefully read and follow the procedures for essay submission and other requirements.   Applicants should write a 600-word essay considering and responding to the following question: Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,477 lives in 2015 alone. How can technology be used to help prevent and/or reduce accidents caused by distracted driving? Our scholarship committee will carefully review the submitted essays for originality, creativity, and proper use of citations. The chosen winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship awarded directly to their institution of choice. If you would like to participate in our essay contest and help promote awareness of distracted driving, please send your essay as a .doc or .docx attachment to an email sent to politolawscholarship@gmail.com. Your email should include the following information:

• Your name and phone number
• If you are under 18, contact information for your parents
• The name of the school you are attending or planning on attending
• Your current/prospective course of study
• The best way to contact you

The deadline for submission is 9 a.m. on February 28, 2018, and a winner will be selected by March 15, 2018. We look forward to reading your thoughtful and creative essays and helping to curb the serious issue of distracted driving in the United States together.