Starting March 1st, 2012, GEICO, along with WAVY-TV* News Channel 10 and Teens with a Purpose, are partnering with DRIVE SMART Virginia to take a stand against distracted driving among teens in the Hampton Roads community. Even Miss America and Miss Virginia will be in town to lend a hand. Students who take part in the contest will pledge to not use cellphones or texting while they’re driving, to cease eating and drinking while driving and to focus on their driving and not on their passengers. Pledge forms were distributed in at least 12 high schools that are participating: Booker T. Washington High School; Denbigh High School; Granby High School; Green Run High School; Indian River High School; Kellam High School; Lake Taylor High School; Landstown High School; Ocean Lakes High School; Princess Anne High School; Renaissance Academy; and Salem High School.  The school with the highest percentage of student pledges, Lake Taylor High School, earned a GEICO-sponsored party in April, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. During the contest, students posted photos and videos that promote safe driving to the Distracted Driving Pledge Contest’s Facebook and Twitter pages managed by Teens With a Purpose. Teens With a Purpose also used videos that went viral to spread the word.

The winning high school was contacted in early April and announced to the community via Facebook and Twitter.

 

Richard Love, Teens With a Purpose created a song inspired by the Distracted Driving Awareness campaign. The song was premiered at the 2012 TWP Launch Part at the Westin Hotel Town Center Virginia Beach.

* WVBT-TV, the sister station of WAVY-TV, is also a partner of the distracted driving pledge contest.