Press release from: Clackamas County Sheriff's Office 

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office recognizes 'Safe Driving Contest' winners

Posted: April 30, 2008

OREGON CITY -- On Thursday, April 17, Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts and the Board of County Commissioners recognized four high-schoolers for their work on the Teen Triple Threat "Safe Driving Contest."

The contest was launched last fall by Safe Communities -- a program dedicated to crash reduction. The program was looking for new ways to address the alarming overrepresentation of teens in crashes: In 2006, the Oregon Department of Transportation reported that 22% (over 1 in 5) of all crashes in Oregon involved a driver between ages 15 and 20.

"Sheriff Roberts wanted a project aimed at teen drivers," said Safe Communities Program Coordinator Patty McMillan. "He suggested having local teens create safety videos. We expanded the contest to radio and print last fall -- asking junior and senior students to create radio, print and video messages targeting three key risk factors: speed, impaired driving, and distracted driving."

During the April 17 awards ceremony, held at the Clackamas County Public Services Building in Oregon City, Sheriff Roberts presented a $500 check to first-place winner Brad Mills from Oregon City High School.

"Thanks for the hard work," Sheriff Roberts told Mills, declaring his safety message "a powerful video."

Roberts also recognized Daryl Eaves, who took second place, winning $250. Daryl created original artwork for his print entry, which will be featured in the Clackamas Review and Molalla Pioneer the week of April 23rd. Eaves partnered with Jeff Sandquist on his video contest entry, which focused on the consequences of racing.

Pete Delbridge won third place, and $100. Though he was not able to attend the awards ceremony, his radio ads will be aired on local stations starting April 21st.

Daryl, Jeff and Pete are all students at Molalla High School.

In addition to the cash prizes, the four winners will receive free drivers' education at Portland International Raceway offered by ProDrive Inc. (valued at $299.00) and a day with a public-safety official.

To view the print, video and radio submissions, click here. Radio ads will also be featured on The Wolf (99.5FM) and Z100 (100.3FM) through May.

The program is sponsored by State Farm Insurance, the Clackamas Traffic Safety Commission, Oregon Impact, Providence Health Systems and Clackamas Federal Credit Union. Sponsors who donated prizes include the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office Peace Officers Association, Clackamas Town Center and ProDrive.

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Press Release Contact:
Patty McMillan, Safe Communities Program Coordinator
(503) 722-6745
Cell: (503) 969-4806