According to a yearly report from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the number of fatal crashes due to distracted driving doubled from 2016 to 2017. Among those crashes, 6,988 people suffered serious injuries and 55 people died.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of death for young drivers. In 2017, the USDOT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 7% of all persons killed in distraction-affected crashes were ages 15-19.
In order to end the dangers of distracted driving, it’s up to each of us to make the commitment to put an end to our own distracting habits. However, like any behavior, you must first admit that you have a problem. For this reason, Bensinger Legal Services is asking students to look forward to end distracted driving.
We want students to put an end to distracted driving habits and are offering a $500 scholarship to undergraduate students and high school graduates in Ohio.
Scholarship Overview
Students should write an essay of 500 words maximum discussing their most common distractions while driving and how they plan to put an end to those deadly habits.
Eligibility
In order to qualify for the Looking Forward Scholarship, applicants must:
- Either be enrolled in an Ohio college, university, or trade school for the Fall 2024 semester OR graduating from high school no later than Summer 2024.
- Submit all application materials by Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Submission Details:
In order to qualify for the scholarship contest we will need to gather the following information:
- Your Name
- A valid email address
- Phone Number
- A copy of your transcript or proof of enrollment
- Upload your 500-word essay as a Word doc
- Submit your materials via the “Apply Now” button below
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I write about?
We want students to examine the ways they become distracted while driving, including digital and real-world interruptions. Examples of these types of distractions include texting, scrolling through social media, playing video games, changing music, wearing headphones, applying makeup, reading, or turning around to talk to passengers. We then want you to reflect on why those distractions are dangerous and how you intend to put an end to them.
When will you select and notify the winner?
We will select a winner no later than Friday, August 16, 2024.