Poster Contest Presents Great Opportunity for KS Kids

Before the kids get back to school, there’s a great opportunity awaiting them. Annually, many public safety-minded organizations join to support Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day. For the past few years, a poster contest for children has been co-sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation and AAA in conjunction with the event.

October 10, 2010 is Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day this year, and it also marks the 10th Anniversary of the day promoting safety. Every year there are nearly 34,000 people who die on the nation’s roadways. This equates to 93 fatalities every day, or one every 15 minutes somewhere in the U.S. Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day promotes reducing all fatalities, and it’s been compared to the Great American Smoke Out, that by having one initial fatality-free day would be the seed leading toward zero fatalities on our roads.

In support of Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, Kansas kids ages 5-13 are invited to participate by submitting a poster which represents their thoughts on Put the Brakes on Fatalities. Great prizes are offered, including for regional winners, a new bicycle and helmet, courtesy of Wal-Mart stores statewide and Safe Kids Kansas, and for statewide winners, a $50 fuel card, courtesy of Quik Trip Corporation, and a family package to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City.

Entries must be postmarked by Sept. 3, 2010 to be eligible, so there’s plenty of time for Kansas kids to put their creative talents to good use and possibly win one of the prizes. The contest is split into age groups of 5-7 years old; 8-10 years old; and 11-13 years old. An added benefit of this contest is encouraging children to think about safety in vehicles.

For rules and requirements on the poster contest: http://www.ksdot.org/images/Poster-contest-flier-2010.pdf. For more information on Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, go to: http://www.brakesonfatalities.org/