STAY ALERT STAY ALIVE
Christensen Law’s 8th Annual Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship Competition
Distracted, drunk, and impaired driving continue to claim thousands of lives every year — and young drivers remain among the most vulnerable. In 2023 alone, distracted driving was responsible for over 3,000 deaths and an estimated 289,000 injuries in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Tragically, these numbers reflect not just statistics, but real people — teens, families, and communities forever changed by a moment of inattention.
At Christensen Law, we’ve seen the devastating aftermath of these crashes firsthand. Our team has represented clients who have suffered life-altering injuries due to someone looking down at a phone, adjusting the radio, or making a reckless choice behind the wheel. While the dangers of drunk driving are widely known, impairment comes in many forms — including distraction, sleep deprivation, and even everyday medications. What they all have in common is this: they’re preventable. We authored a meta-analysis on Distracted Driving in America; for more information, you can find it here.
That’s why we’re proud to announce our 2026 “Stay Alert Stay Alive” Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship Contest. Through this annual initiative, we aim to raise awareness, amplify young voices, and invest in the future. We’re awarding a $2,500 scholarship to a Michigan high school senior or college student who can deliver a compelling message about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving — and how we can work together to prevent it.
This year, students can choose from one of four powerful essay prompts:
- It Can Wait
What would you say to a friend who drives distracted? Whether it’s texting, changing the music, eating, or simply not paying attention, distractions behind the wheel can be deadly. Use your voice to craft a persuasive essay that encourages your peers to stay focused and make safety the priority every time they drive. - The Voices of Victims & Families
Step into the shoes of someone whose life has been impacted by a distracted or impaired driving crash. Through real or imagined events, tell a story that brings the consequences to life. - From the Passenger Seat
When someone else is behind the wheel, it can be hard to challenge their choices. Explore how teens can navigate the fear and peer pressure that come with standing up for their safety in risky driving situations. - Create a Teen-Led Awareness Campaign
Get creative and imagine a campaign that could grab the attention of your generation. What message would you share, describe what visuals you would use, and how would you deliver it?
As you write your essay, remember that Michigan’s “One-Touch” law makes it illegal to hold or manually use a phone while driving—even when stopped at a red light. Only one quick tap or hands-free, voice-activated use is allowed. Violating the law can result in fines, community service, and mandatory driver improvement courses for repeat offenses. This law exists to protect everyone on the road, and it’s an important reminder of why staying focused behind the wheel matters.
Whether you speak from experience, empathy, or pure imagination, we want to hear from you. Your ideas, your stories, and your voice could help shift someone’s perspective — or even save a life.
STAY ALERT STAY ALIVE
Let’s drive change together
Scholarship Award
$2,500, one winner
College costs can add up quickly — between tuition, books, and living expenses, it’s a big investment. At Christensen Law, we want to support students who are ready to make a difference.
We’re offering a $2,500 scholarship to Michigan high school seniors and college students who create a powerful message about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. To enter, students must be currently attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university in the United States.
Essay Length
750–1,000 words
Format
Typed (12 pt, double‑spaced), PDF or DOCX
Essay Requirements
Tone
Can be persuasive, narrative, reflective, or campaign-focused
Judging Criteria
- Relevance to the prompt
- Creativity and originality
- Persuasiveness and emotional impact
- Clarity and overall writing quality
Entrants may choose one of the following:
- It Can Wait: What Would You Say to a Friend About Distracted Driving?
Craft a persuasive essay as if you’re speaking directly to a peer who often texts behind the wheel. - The Voices of Victims and Families
Write an essay from the perspective of someone impacted by a distracted or impaired driving crash, based on real or imagined events. - From the Passenger Seat: How to Speak Up When a Driver Isn’t Safe
Explore how teens can overcome social discomfort and speak out when their safety is on the line. - What Would a Teen-Led Awareness Campaign Look Like?
Propose a creative campaign or initiative that could effectively reach your peers and promote safer driving.
Submission Deadline
March 31, 2026
Winning Submission
One submission will be chosen based on overall quality and how effectively it meets the judging criteria: Relevance to the prompt (25%), creativity and originality (25%), persuasiveness and emotional impact (25%), and clarity and overall writing quality (25%). Excerpts from the winning entry will be promoted on our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn) and on our website. By submitting your entry, you are giving up all rights to the piece and granting us permission to repost and publish the piece at our discretion.
Submission Method
- Complete the entry form and consent waiver on contest webpage.
- Upload your headshot photo. Please make sure it contains your actual name in the file name — e.g., jpg
- Upload a copy of your submission using this naming convention: LastnameFirstname_CLAWScholarship_Date — e.g., John_Doe_CLAWScholarship_09 01 2026
Winner Announcement
May 1, 2026
We can’t wait to read your essays and hear your unique voices on this urgent issue. At Christensen Law, we’re deeply grateful to every student who takes the time to apply — your dedication to raising awareness and preventing dangerous driving means more than you know. Each submission represents a powerful step toward change, and we’re honored to stand alongside you in this mission. Best of luck to all applicants!
Christensen Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship Contest 2022
As Michigan car accident attorneys, we’ve seen the devastating effects of distracted driving firsthand. Christensen Law’s annual Distracted Driving Scholarship Contest was established as part of our commitment to increasing awareness about the tragic consequences of distracted driving among young people while also helping to fund their education.
We received hundreds of incredible entries this year and would like to thank everyone who participated for their effort and advocacy. It is our hope that they will continue to spread awareness about the dangers of distracted, drunk, and/or impaired driving.
Our team gathered to review the inspiring, emotional, and imaginative submissions and cast their votes for the essay, graphic, or video that they felt best embodied the mission of our contest. Ultimately, one video stood out among them all and captured everyone’s attention.
AND THE WINNER IS…AARON CHAN!
Aaron’s video submission made a lasting impression on our team. Combining statistics, practical tips, and humor, his message was both creative and persuasive. His submission shows awareness of his target audience and provides relevant, substantial examples that support our objective – all while remaining humorous! We wish Aaron the best of luck in his future academic endeavors as a freshman at Elon University.
