The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today invited high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to take part in the first PennDOT Innovations Challenge.

“Every hour, about 15 reportable traffic crashes occur in Pennsylvania and although we have made positive steps towards reducing traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities, a disproportionate number of these crashes involve teenagers,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “Through PennDOT’s Innovations Challenge, we are inviting high school students to become an active part of the solution in helping develop innovative ways to tackle this real transportation concern.”

The PennDOT Innovations Challenge asks students to look at technologies and innovative methods, aside from traditional paid advertising, marketing and social media channels, that can be developed in the next five to 10 years to curb unsafe teen driving practices.