2024 Kelsey's Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship
Stop Distracted Driving Contest
Car accidents are the No. 1 killer of drivers between the ages of 15-20. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
Texting while driving increases your risk of crashing by 23 times. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute)
Dialing a hand-held cell phone while driving increase your crash risk by 12 times. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute)
3,206 or approximately 21% of the distracted drivers in crashes in Michigan in 2022 were between the ages of 15 and 20 years of age, down approximately 15% from 3,768 in 2021. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
There were 12 fatal motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 years of age in Michigan in both 2022 and 2021. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
There were 847 injury motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 in Michigan in 2022, down 17% from 1,026 in 2021. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
441 or 18.5% of the drivers using a cell phone at the time of a crash in Michigan in 2022 were 20 years of age or younger, down approximately 17.5% from 535 in 2021. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
Of the 4,856 teen drivers (aged 15 to 20) who were involved in fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2022, 296 or 6% of them were distracted at the time of the crashes. (NHTSA)
The statistics above reflect the most current and up-to-date data that is publicly available.
What is Kelsey’s Law?
Who is Bonnie Raffaele?
Distractions
Using a cell phone and/or texting
Eating and drinking
Reading, including maps
Changing the radio station
Using a PDA or navigation system
Watching a video
2024 Kelsey's Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship Overview
Michigan Auto Law is proud to announce that we will be partnering with The Kiefer Foundation for this year’s annual Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship. Through the generosity of The Kiefer Foundation, we will be able to double the total scholarship offering from $5,000 to $10,000 and we will be able to award 8 winners instead of 4. The Kiefer Foundation was started in 2016 in honor of Mitchel Kiefer, a Michigan State University freshman who tragically lost his life when he was struck by a distracted driver. Michigan Auto Law and The Kiefer Foundation hope to inspire change and raise awareness, by encouraging Michigan high school juniors and seniors to submit a compelling message that convinces young drivers to reduce distractions while driving and persuades all drivers, especially teen drivers, to stop texting while driving.
Messages may be in the form of a video, graphic or Tweet (now known as an “X” post) that resonates with teens and influences their driving behavior. Entries will be judged and critiqued on the following factors:
- Ability to persuade others, especially teen drivers, to stop texting while driving.
- Ability to grab the attention of other teen drivers, peers, and drivers of all ages.
- A clear and understandable message.
- Demonstration of the applicant’s personal creativity and ingenuity.
Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship winners will be notified by April 19, 2024, and winners will be announced sometime during April 2024 to coincide with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In light of the partnership between Michigan Auto Law and The Kiefer Foundation, the application deadline has been extended to April 7, 2024. Scroll down to complete your application in our online form.
Types of Admissions Permitted
YouTube Video
30 Seconds max
TikTok Video
30 Seconds max
Graphic
PNG files only
Tweet / X Post
Formerly known as a "Tweet."
110 characters or less
Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Scholarship Award Amounts
- Overall Best Submission: $2,000 (2 winners)
- Best Video Submission: $1,500 (2 winners)
- Best Graphic Submission: $1,000 (2 winners)
- Best Tweet (“X” post) Submission: $500 (2 winners)
*Limit one type of submission per student.
Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship awards will be applied toward tuition at any university, college or technical school in the U.S. for higher education. Funds will be sent directly to the school within one year of the scholarship deadline.
Who may apply:
- Open to 11th and 12th grade students (Class of 2024 and 2025) attending any public or private Michigan high school (finalists will be required to provide proof of enrollment with a student I.D. or transcript).
- Applicant must be a Michigan resident with a valid Michigan driver’s license.
- If under the age of 18 by April 15, 2024, a parental consent form must be signed by a parent or guardian if you are selected as a finalist.
Deadline to apply online: April 7, 2024.
Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship winners will be announced in April, 2024 to coincide with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
All applicants are required to read, understand and agree to the Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy and the Terms of Use with a check marked box within the submission form. For details review each document here:
Complete the online form below including all required fields. Once you submit your information an automatic receipt message will be sent to your email address.