Bridgestone Launches Safety Scholars 2009

Bridgestone Americas has revealed the details for its third annual Safety Scholars Video Contest. Targeted to young drivers ages 16-21, Safety Scholars asks entrants to create short auto safety-themed videos. This year the topic of automotive environmentalism will be an option for entrants, extending the Bridgestone Group’s “One Team, One Planet” global environmental initiative.

“Car crashes claim the lives of more 16- to 21-year-olds than any other cause, so safety education is a priority for us,” said Christine Karbowiak, vice president of community and corporate relations. “Environmental responsibility is equally important to the company, which led us to include that topic in this year’s contest. Safety Scholars is an innovative and engaging platform that allows us to communicate our commitment to both issues.”

The winners of the 2008 Safety Scholars contest were at the Chicago Auto Show this week (w/c: 11 February) to present their videos to a group of automotive journalists and enthusiasts from around the country. Danny Belkin, Ryan Massey, Angela Roscioli and Sarah Wilson used first-person accounts, dramatic narratives and other creative formats to deliver powerful messages about auto safety. They all received a $5,000 college scholarship and a set of new tyres; several Safety Scholars videos are now being aired (in a partnership with the Bridgestone brand-sponsored Driver’s Edge teen driving program) as public service announcements on television stations across the United States.

“We’re proud Safety Scholars is a contest for teens, by teens, and we can’t wait to see this year’s creative entries,” concluded Karbowiak.