U-Haul Sponsors Project Yellow Light to Fight Distracted Driving

Feb 16, 2017

For the third consecutive year, U-Haul is partnering with Project Yellow Light to support an annual scholarship competition that brings awareness to the dangers of distracted driving.

As part of its sponsorship, U-Haul gives $16,000 toward awarded scholarships for the winning students as well as in-kind donations of up to $500 per winner to assist with the students’ upcoming moves.

PYL co-founder Julie Garner created the Hunter Garner Scholarship after the loss of her son in a 2007 car accident. Consequently, students in high school and college now create and submit media pieces to encourage others not to text and drive.

The scholarship competition has three categories: film, billboard and radio.

Film Category

In the film category, first-place winners from the high school and college divisions receive a $5,000 scholarship and $500 of in-kind U-Haul moving expenses. The Ad Council transforms winning submissions into public service announcements and the PSAs go to more than 1,600 media outlets. The PSAs air for one year. Second- and third-place recipients also receive scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. April 1 is the deadline for film submissions.

Learn more about the submission requirements at projectyellowlight.com.

“I’m beyond thankful for U-Haul Company’s continued support of Project Yellow Light for 2017,” Garner says. “Our organization is grateful for the generosity. This year promises to be the best yet. PYL is looking forward to spreading the message of safe driving to our youth. I’m honored to have U-Haul share with us in this important undertaking.”

View the 2016 winning college video here. View the 2016 winning high school video here.

Billboard Category

Winners receive a $2,000 scholarship in the billboard category. In addition, first-place recipients get $500 of in-kind U-Haul moving expenses and their creations will be presented nationwide on Clear Channel Outdoor billboard space. The deadline to submit in the billboard category is March 1.

Radio Category

The radio category is the latest addition to the PYL scholarship competition. First-place winners are awarded a $2,000 scholarship, $500 of in-kind U-Haul moving expenses and, finally, their audio pieces will be featured on iHeartRadio stations across the U.S. The radio submission deadline is April 1.

“U-Haul is pleased to partner with Project Yellow Light for a third consecutive year,” stated Stuart Shoen, Executive Vice President of U-Haul International. “The PYL scholarship competition is a valuable way for young people to take a stand against distracted driving and positively influence their peers in the process.”

Are you a safe driver? Click here to take a free, self-guided online U-Haul course on distracted driving.

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