Don't Text and Drive Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Digital Responsibility

Title: Scholarship to Raise Awareness About the Dangers of Texting While Driving

Description
**Purpose and risk basis**
This scholarship exists to educate and motivate safer behavior by highlighting the dangers of texting while driving. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for about five seconds — the average time to send a text — can mean traveling the length of a football field at highway speeds. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that texting while driving increases the likelihood of a “safety‑critical event” by about 23 times. The award’s primary aim is to reduce distracted driving through awareness and student engagement.

Key takeaways:
- Scholarship promotes awareness of texting-while-driving risks.
- Five-second distractions can cover a football-field distance at speed.
- Virginia Tech Transportation Institute quantifies the increased risk (≈23×).
- The award focuses on education and behavior change, not just finances.

Eligibility
**Who may apply**
Applicants may be high school students (freshman through senior), current college students, or students entering college or graduate school at any level. Home-schooled students are explicitly eligible, and there is no upper age limit for applicants. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents to qualify. These criteria are broadly inclusive across educational levels while requiring U.S. residency status.

Key takeaways:
- Open to high school (9–12), college, and graduate students.
- Home-schooled students are eligible.
- No age limit for applicants.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

Award Value
**Amount and benefits**
The provided information does not specify the scholarship amount or the exact benefits awarded to recipients. Scholarship value, number of awards, and whether funds are paid to the student or to an educational institution can vary by program year and sponsor. Applicants should consult the official scholarship page or contact the sponsor for current award details and distribution rules before applying.

Key takeaways:
- Award amount and number of scholarships are not specified in the provided text.
- Benefits and disbursement methods may vary by year.
- Verify current award details on the official scholarship website or with the sponsor.
- Do not assume a fixed award value without checking official sources.

Application Timeline
**Deadline and timing**
The application deadline is the end of September, scheduled to coincide with September’s No Texting While Driving Day. Exact submission dates, application opening windows, and any supporting-document deadlines should be confirmed with the official announcement each year. Because the deadline aligns with a national awareness day, plan to submit well before the final date to allow for any last-minute issues.

Key takeaways:
- Deadline: end of September (aligned with No Texting While Driving Day).
- Confirm exact dates annually on the official scholarship page.
- Prepare materials in advance to avoid last-minute problems.
- Allow time for transcripts or recommendation letters if required.

History of the Award
**Origins and context**
The scholarship was created as part of broader efforts to reduce distracted driving and increase public awareness about texting behind the wheel. It links to national safety initiatives that aim to change driver behavior through education and incentives. While specific founding details and sponsoring organizations are not provided here, the award’s timing and messaging reflect alignment with established distracted-driving awareness campaigns.

Key takeaways:
- Established to support distracted-driving awareness and prevention.
- Aligns with national campaigns focused on safe driving behavior.
- Timing is coordinated with awareness events to maximize impact.
- For sponsor and founding details, consult the scholarship’s official history or announcements.