By Bob Katzen
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced its seventh annual high school video contest. This year, high school students are invited to write and produce a 30-60 second video that focuses on the hands-free driving law that prohibits drivers, except on-duty public safety personnel,
from using a hand-held cellphone or other electronic device to make a call or access social media. The law allows drivers to use only a hands-free phone but allows him or her to perform a single tap or swipe to activate or deactivate the hands-free mode feature. Public safety personnel are exempt from the ban.
Grand prize and runner-up videos winners will be chosen by a MassDOT panel and will be screened during MassDOT’s annual active transportation conference, Moving Together, which is scheduled to take place virtually on November 17 through November 19.
The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4. Students are required to strictly follow COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and health/safety precautions while making contest videos. For more information go to: Mass.gov/roadway-safety-video or call (877) 623-6846.