Virginia Highway Safety Office News Releases

Finalists Named in Underage Drinking PSA Campaign
Area Teens Encouraged to Vote for Favorite

RICHMOND - Are you stupid enough to drink underage? Do you think about the consequences before drinking and driving? These were some of the questions asked in the top four public service announcements (PSA) submitted for the Lights, Camera, Take Action: Stop Underage Drinking Now campaign. Seventy entries were submitted by teens from the Richmond area and the top four entries are competing for a spot on Fox Richmond during the Super Bowl.

Fox Richmond, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Office and Loveland Distributing created this unique public awareness campaign that puts teenagers in the driver's seat to promote safe driving practices. Local teens were invited to produce PSAs with messages that combat teen drinking.

"Despite Virginia's zero tolerance stance against underage drinking, it still remains a significant issue," said DMV Commissioner D. B. Smit. " Teen-agers often don't think about the deadly consequences of bad decisions. Many have the mindset that 'it won't happen to me.' It can and it does happen, and this campaign asks younger drivers to be part of the solution. This is a powerful tool to stimulate conversations among young peer groups about safe driving behaviors."

Richmond-area teens are encouraged to view the four winning PSAs on the Fox Richmond website and vote for the one they think is the best. To vote, go to http://www.foxrichmond.com/players/features/lcta/vid_5.shtml

The four finalists are:

• Virginia Kenney, Deep Run High School, "Bad Decisions"
• Imani Holmes, Manchester High School, "Stupid"
• John Upton, Appomattox Regional Governor's School, "Still Thirsty"
• Gil Ziegelbaur, Deep Run High School, "Think"

The finalists won a laptop computer with video editing software and an 80G IPOD. They were featured during Fox News at Ten last week.

The voting ends on January 20, 2008. The finalist entry with the most votes will air on Fox Richmond during the Super Bowl Sunday, February 3.

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