High School Student Creates Safe Driving PSA

High School Student Creates Safe Driving PSA

When Chicago high school student Elijah Wilborn created his safe driving PSA, he left his phone, music and other distractions curbside – and picked up the grand prize in the TeenDrive365 Video Challenge from Toyota and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms.

Now in its fourth year, the challenge invites teens across the country to create short PSAs to inspire their friends to drive more safely and avoid risky behavior behind the wheel.

Elijah’s video, which was chosen by a panel of judges at Toyota and Discovery Education from more than 1,000 submissions, takes a creative, humorous spin on the distractions that teens face every day behind the wheel.

In the video, a teenager attempts to navigate his morning routine and drive to school while being beset by a range of all too common distractions – represented by other teens in t-shirts reading “phone,” “radio,” “ego” and more.

As the distractions build to crescendo, the teen finally exclaims from behind the wheel, “Everybody out!” and literally drops them off on the curb.

“We loved how Elijah’s PSA addressed driving safety with creativity, humor and a clear-eyed view of the distractions that face drivers of all ages,” said Michael Rouse, president, Toyota USA Foundation. “We offer him our heartfelt congratulations and are proud to help share his vision for encouraging other teens to drive more safely.”

“The TeenDrive365 initiative addresses the need to keep students safe on the road by providing engaging digital resources and experiences that encourage smart choices behind the wheel,” said Bill Goodwyn, president and CEO, Discovery Education.

The program is part of TeenDrive365, Toyota’s initiative to help parents model safer driving behaviors for their children.