Press Releases - Department of Transportation

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is hosting its annual “Heads Up, Phones Down” contest. The video contest invites high school students to create short videos promoting the importance of focusing on their surroundings instead of their phones while diving or walking. Students can win prizes worth up to $800 and earn up to five Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for their efforts. MCDOT will be accepting entries of 30-second Public Service Announcements (PSAs) through Saturday, Feb. 28.  

County public and private high school students are eligible to submit contest videos in English or Spanish. Entries can be submitted individually or from a group of up to four students.   

“Texting while driving and walking continue to cost lives,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Young people have the power to change that by speaking up and setting a new standard. Through the ‘Heads Up, Phones Down’ video contest, students can use their creativity to send powerful messages to their peers that promote safe behaviors and to put their phones away and focus on the road.” 

Submissions will be grouped into two categories: individual or group projects.

Individual entries can win an Apple Mac Book Air, an Apple Watch, or tripod.

Winning group submissions will split an $800 grand prize, $400 second prize, and $200 third prize, with a Visa gift card for each member.

Students can submit their entries on the online entry form. Videos must be submitted via YouTube as a public video so it can be reviewed. Students also may qualify for up to five SSL hours for successfully completing an entry.    

“Taking your eyes off the road for even a moment can put yourself and everyone around you at risk,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), texting while driving can increase a teen’s risk of crashing by 23 times. NHTSA also reports that teens are two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in risky behavior while driving when other teenagers are in the car with them. ‘Heads Up, Phones Down’ can have a real impact on teen behavior by encouraging students to speak up about distracted and unsafe driving.”

Winning contestants will be visited by MCDOT staff and will have their videos posted on MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School website on Monday, March 16. Last year's winning videos can be viewed online.  

Visit the contest website for more information at montgomerycountymd.gov/HUPD.    

Send contest-related questions to [email protected].   

For information on MCDOT programs and services: