(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Connecticut teens and their high schools can win up to $26,000 in prizes by entering a submission into Connecticut’s 17th annual Teen Safe Driving Video Contest, hosted by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Travelers.
The contest calls on teens to create video public service announcements with compelling messages that motivate their peers to always practice safe driving whenever getting behind the wheel.
Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States. In 2023, a total of 2,611 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved a teen.
“Vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death among teens, and some of the largest contributing factors include speeding and distracted driving, such as being on cell phones or doing other risky behaviors while in the car with friends,” Governor Lamont said. “This contest is a way to engage students and high schools into having a dialogue on the importance of safe driving and encourage teens to spread that message with their peers. I appreciate that Travelers is willing to partner with Connecticut’s DMV to amplify this important message.”
The contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled high school students in Connecticut between the ages of 14 to 18. It requires students to produce a creative, unique, and effective video public service announcement up to 45 seconds in length that highlights interactions between drivers and other teens and illustrates ways to practice safer driving habits while obeying Connecticut’s teen driving laws.
The videos must also address at least one specific Connecticut teen driving law.
DMV Commissioner Antonio “Tony” Guerrera was House chair of the Connecticut General Assembly’s Transportation Committee in 2008. He helped lead the effort to change state laws to increase safety for teen drivers.
“These laws save lives and prevent crashes,” Commissioner Guerrera said. “We need students to help us with their video talents to remind their peers to follow the rules of the road, and that includes the state’s teen driving laws such as no friends in the vehicle for the first year you are licensed and to be home by 11 p.m. We appreciate Travelers joining us in this effort to spread these important safety messages.”
Travelers will award up to $26,000 in cash and other prizes to the winning students and their high schools. The deadline for submissions is February 2, 2026.
“Safe driving habits start early, and the impact of those habits can last a lifetime,” Michael Klein, executive vice president and president of personal insurance at Travelers, said. “Engaging young drivers in conversations about responsibility and risk helps build a culture of safety that protects individuals and communities.”
Since the contest began, nearly 5,000 students representing 100 high schools across the state have participated.
To read the full contest rules and information on how to submit a video entry, visit ct.gov/teendriving/contest.