Gov. Andy Beshear announced on March 19 that registration is open for Team Kentucky’s second Safe Teen Driving Challenge, which aims to encourage safe driving behaviors among teens and offers a total of $10,000 in cash prizes. The challenge is open to Kentucky drivers aged 15 to 19 and is managed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
According to Beshear, “As a dad of two teenage drivers who mean everything to me, I know we need to be doing everything we can to keep our kids safe on the road. This competition is one way to ensure we are helping our kids develop safe habits behind the wheel, while giving Kentucky teens a chance to win cash prizes as well.”
Over the past three years, there have been more than 49,000 crashes involving teen drivers in Kentucky, resulting in over 13,000 injuries and 197 fatalities. The challenge seeks to reduce these numbers by encouraging young drivers to build better habits and stay focused behind the wheel.
The top five participants will receive cash prizes sponsored by AAA Blue Grass, AAA East Central and Intoximeters: first place receives $3,000; second place $2,500; third place $2,000; fourth place $1,500; and fifth place $1,000. Lori Weaver Hawkins of AAA Blue Grass said, “Teens are still developing their driving habits, which makes this an especially important time to reinforce safe behaviors behind the wheel. Distractions can take a driver’s attention away from the road in an instant. AAA is proud to partner with Team Kentucky and other traffic safety advocates to support initiatives like the Kentucky Safe Teen Driving Challenge that help young drivers stay focused and build safe habits that last a lifetime.” Rob Duckworth of Intoximeters Inc. added: “Teen driver safety isn’t just about rules – it’s about protecting futures that haven’t begun. Partnering with Team Kentucky to educate teens on the power of good decision making allows us to support the future of these teens and Kentucky.”
To participate in the challenge—which had over 800 participants last year—teens must register online between March 19 and April 16 using a valid permit or license and a smartphone with parental consent required for those under 18. Participants will use the DriveWell Go app powered by Cambridge Mobile Telematics from April 17 through July 17; it tracks risky behaviors such as speeding or phone use via smartphone sensors.
KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said: “Using tech to offer personalized driving insights can help encourage safe behaviors early in life as we look to this generation to build on Kentucky’s three-year downward trend in overall highway fatalities and serious injuries. Driver education plus our engineering solutions and law enforcement actions all work together to make our highways safer for all.” More information about registration is available according to the official roster page.
