Press Kit for the Sweet Ride on the Safe Side Contest
Problem
Young drivers are dying at an alarming rate as a result of traffic crashes -
work zones magnify the risk.
Key sponsors
- Iowa Department of Transportation
- KDSM Fox-17
- Charles Gabus Ford
Additional contest sponsors
- Platinum ($2,500)
AAA of Iowa/Minnesota
Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, Department of Public Safety
Iowa Limestone Producers Association Inc. - Gold ($1,000)
American Traffic Safety Services Association, Iowa Chapter
Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa
Associated General Contractors of Iowa
Iowa Concrete Paving Association
Iowa County Engineer's Association - Silver ($500)
Iowa Operation Lifesaver
Iowa-Illinois Safety Council
Iowa State Sheriff's and Deputies Association - Other
Iowa High Schools Girls Athletic Association
Iowa Association of Safety Education
How the contest worked
- Log on to www.sweetridecontest.com.
- Watch a video produced by KDSM.
- Take a quiz.
- When you ace the quiz, you can register to win the car.
- Explore the site along the way to learn more about safe driving.
Contest basics
- Open to all Iowa licensed drivers ages 14 to 24
- Ended at 4 p.m. March 14
Winner was chosen March 17 - Statistics
- 11,904 Web site visitors
- 18,000 video views
- 3,510 entries
Contest outreach
- The contest was promoted through all Iowa high schools, community, private and state colleges with posters and presentations from ThinkFirst Iowa program and driver’s education instructors.
- Postcards were sent to all licensed drivers ages 17-21 in October 2007.
- Contest display and promotional give-aways (notepads, bookmarks) presented at high school career fairs and sponsor events (barbques, live radio remotes).
- Purchased ads on KDSM-Fox 17 and in the high school state tournament event brochures for football, volleyball, wresting, and boys and girls basketball.
Desired outcomes
- Education on risks involved with driving in a work zone
- Required driving behaviors in a work zone
- Fewer injuries and fatalities
- Safer roadways for all highway users and workers
Iowa teen crash facts
- Teens (ages 14-19) have a higher fatality rate in motor vehicle crashes than any other age group.
- Teens and young adults (ages 14-24) represent 17 percent of licensed drivers, but suffer 40 percent of all fatal and serious traffic injuries.
- During 2002-2006, 188 people (116 of them teens ages 14-17) died in crashes involving a teen driver.
- When parents are in the vehicle, teen drivers rarely crash. Take mom, dad or guardian out of the vehicle, and the crash rate increased 700 percent; seat belt use drops to less than 40 percent.
- The crash rate per mile driven for 16-19-year-olds is four times the rate for drivers 20 and older.
- Fifty-four percent of motor vehicle crash deaths among teenagers in 2005 occurred on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Work Zone Quick Facts
Work zone statistics
- U.S. work zone fatalities - 980 per year (10-year average)
- Iowa work zone fatalities - 5.3 per year (10-year average)
- 136 injury crashes occur per year in Iowa work zones
- 224 property damage crashes occur per year in Iowa work zones
- 366 total work zone crashes occur per year in Iowa work zones
- 90 percent of Iowa work zone crash fatalities are motorists (10 year average)
- 10 percent of Iowa work zone crash fatalities are DOT, other public agency or contractor workers (10 year average)
- 75% of Iowa work zone crashes are rear-end crashes
| Sweet Ride on the Safe Side Quiz | |
|---|---|
| 1. What color is used in work zones? A. Green B. Orange C. Yellow D. Red |
7. Who is at fault in a rear-end collision? A. The driver of the front car B. Neither driver C. Both drivers D. The driver of the rear car |
| 2. What type of information is communicated though orange work zone warning signs? A. Attention B. Unexpected road conditions C. Necessary driver action D. All of the above |
8. If it takes you three seconds to stop, how far does your car travel if you’re going 65 miles per hour? A. 10 feet B. 1000 feet C. 300 feet D. 1 foot |
| 3. How many people are killed in work zones each year in the United States? A. 1000 B. 250 C. 100 D. 50 |
9. What precautions should you take when entering a work zone? A. Eliminate distractions B. Watch for slower traffic ahead C. Follow instructions on orange signs D. All of the above |
| 4. What is the leading cause of death among 16- to 24-year-olds? A. Suicide B. Natural causes C. Car crashes D. Drinking |
10. If you’re caught going 10 mph over the work zone speed limit on the interstate, how much will you owe (not counting court costs)? A. $25 B. $50 C. $75 D. $120 |
| 5. Who is most likely to die in work zone crashes? A. Highway workers B. Motorist C. Pedestrians D. Police officers |
11. Ninety percent of Iowa drivers wear seat belts. What percentage of people killed in car crashes were not wearing a seat belt? A. 5% B. 10% C. 25% D. 50% |
| 6. What is the most common work zone crash type? A. Side swipes B. Head on C. Rear end D. Run off the road |
12. What percentage of work zone fatalities are alcohol related? A. 35% B. 40% C. 50% D. 60% |
Last posted: 4/14/2008
Categories: Work Zone Safety Awareness Week
