Louisiana launches high school video contest to promote safe driving

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and Destination Zero Deaths (DZD) have launched the ‘Buckle Up, Phone Down’ High School Video and Pledge Contest. Running from September 1 through October 31, the initiative encourages high school students in Louisiana to create videos promoting safe driving habits, specifically focusing on seatbelt use and avoiding phone distractions. AAA has pledged to provide cash prizes for the winning entries.

In addition to the student contest, the DOTD is inviting all drivers to take a social media pledge to eliminate distractions while operating vehicles. The campaign follows statistics indicating that distracted or inattentive driving was a factor in 168 of Louisiana’s 766 traffic fatalities in 2025. Louisiana also maintains a hand-free cell phone law, which prohibits drivers from physically holding or supporting a phone while driving, with violations carrying a $100 fine.