Missouri high school students will have an opportunity to participate in a contest where winning means much more than prizes.
The competition - "It Only Takes One" - is designed to educate students about safe driving habits to prevent accidents or limit the severity of being involved in a crash.
Incoming students have until Sept. 30 to sign up at their local high schools. The contest period extends from Oct. 1 through the end of the school year.
The contest includes two surprise safety belt checks to gauge student seat belt use, as well as creative educational campaigns to promote safe driving throughout the school year.
In addition, schools may submit a 30-second video to encourage peers to to buckle up and drive safely.
The contest is sponsored by the Missouri Coalition of Roadway Safety, ACT Missouri, Midwest Trauma Society and College of Emergency Physicians.
Organizers say the title reflects the importance that "young drivers realize it only takes ONE text, ONE drink, ONE call, ONE reach, ONE distraction to cause ONE fatal moment, but that ONE clicked seat belt could be the difference between life or death in a car crash."
Although drivers ages 15-19 represents only 6 percent of Missouri's licensed drivers, they were involved in nearly 15 percent of fatal and serious injury accidents during 2015.
Research shows driver distractions are the primary cause of fatal collisions, and public safety officials say the greatest risk for young drivers is the number of passengers in a vehicle.
In short, multiple passengers multiply driver distractions.
Adding to the dangers are 2016 survey results showing 30 percent of young drivers are not buckling up.
We encourage area high schools and their students to participate in this competition. Some have taken part in past challenges and earned prizes.
More importantly, every teen driver who emphasizes safety comes away a winner.