The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Community Traffic Safety Management Program and the Monroe Technology Center (MTC), as part of Loudoun County Public Schools, teamed up to create posters depicting the dangers of texting while driving, awarding three students first, second and third place.
The in-school public awareness campaign regarding the dangers of texting and driving were unveiled just prior to a new texting-while-driving law that went into effect in Virginia on July 1st. The new law makes texting while driving a primary offense and significantly raises fines.
“We want drivers of all ages to understand that texting and driving significantly increases your chances of becoming involved in a serious crash,” said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman. “In Joining with Loudoun County Public Schools and involving students to help get this message out, we are taking the issue right the those who are more likely to be involved in this dangerous activity. The message developed for the campaign is clear, don’t let a text end your life,” added Chapman.
The graphic communications students at MTC were asked by the Sheriff’s Office to create posters that would show their peers the dangers of texting while driving. Students from the first and second-year graphic communications classes submitted ideas to the Sheriff’s Office from which three designs were selected. The three selected students were:
• First Place: Dominique Perez
• Second Place: Lauren Sturman
• Third Place: Jack Middleton
Perez’s design will be on posters that will be distributed to every high school next fall. It will also be used on mouse pads.
Sturman’s design will be used on banners that will be distributed to every high school. It also will be used on coffee mugs and stickers.
The Graphic Communications Department is producing all of the products. The cost of the materials is being offset by a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the Community Traffic Safety Management Program from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.