Toyota and Discovery Education Invite Teens to Make Original Videos to Inspire Their Peers to Become Safer Drivers

Silver Spring, Md., October 22, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Toyota and Discovery Education yesterday announced the 2014 Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge which invites teens to create original videos to inspire their peers to be safer drivers for the chance to win $15,000.  In conjunction with the fourth year of this annual competition, and as part of their ongoing commitment to raise awareness around the dangers of distracted driving, the partners also launched an all-new sweepstakes for high schools and a new website at ToyotaTeenDriver.com. In total, the companies are offering more than $100,000 in prizes for students and schools.

While cars today are safer than ever, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens and according to the National Safety Council, the year a teenager gets their license will be one of the most dangerous of their life.

The contests and website are part of Toyota Teen Driver, which was created in 2010 by Toyota and Discovery Education to help teens avoid distractions and stay safe behind the wheel.  The program provides students, parents and educators with free online resources, including curriculum, parent coaching guides, digital games, videos and take-home activities.   

“Safety is at the heart of everything Toyota does, which is why we are so excited about the Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge,” said Latondra Newton, Toyota chief corporate social responsibility officer.  “What could be more inspiring and impactful than harnessing the passion, creativity and talent of teens across the country to join us in making our roads safer for everyone?”

“Discovery Education knows that safe driving for teens is a critical issue for communities and families across the country - not only for the driver, but for their passengers, their parents and their fellow students,” said Bill Goodwyn, CEO of Discovery Education. “That is why ToyotaTeenDriver.com is one of the most important educational resources we can provide high school students, educators and parents.  The engaging multimedia resources on the site use interactivity to show students first-hand why distracted or impaired driving is such a dangerous activity and can help them to make positive decisions that will keep them safe behind the wheel."

Toyota Teen Driver’s approach to safety education is grounded in the belief that bringing teens, parents and educators together with creative contests and resources is the key to changing teens’ behaviors.  This year’s contests and new resources include:

• The Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge:  Beginning yesterday through March 13, 2014, high school students across the country can enter their original videos to inspire their friends to drive more safely and avoid distractions.  A panel of experts will choose ten finalists and the public will determine the winners in an online vote.  The grand prize winner will receive $15,000 and will remake their video with a Discovery film crew for use on ToyotaTeenDriver.com and a range of Discovery’s online properties.  The second place winner will receive $10,000 and a trip for two for a behind-the-scenes tour of a Velocity network show, while the third place winner will receive $7,500 and seven runners-up will receive $1,000 each.  Last year’s challenge garnered entries from all 50 states.  You can learn more and view some of last year’s videos at ToyotaTeenDriver.com/Challenge.  

• The Toyota Teen Driver High School Sweepstakes:  This new sweepstakes invites the public to enter a high school to receive a cash prize to implement a distracted driving awareness program on their campus.  One school will receive a grand prize of $5,000 as well as a virtual driving simulator, while 10 other schools will receive runners-up prizes of $1,000 each.  Anyone can enter a high school at toyotateendriver.com/sweepstakes  once a day between yesterday and April 15, 2014. 

• New Website with Enhanced Video Content:  ToyotaTeenDriver.com debuted a new look yesterday as well as enhanced resources, including “Drive It Home” videos created for parents by experts at the National Safety Council, which tackle topics such as how to be a better driving coach and important safety tips. 

Toyota Teen Driver is just one piece of Toyota’s longstanding commitment to teen driver safety.  Toyota Driving Expectations (www.toyotadrivingexpectations.com) provides hands-on, real world defensive driving courses that go far beyond what is taught in standard driver education courses, while the Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center (www.toyota.com/csrc) develops teen safety research in partnership with leading universities and hospitals.  Toyota also partners with DoSomething.org (www.DoSomething.org) and the National Safety Council (www.NSC.org) on national teen safety campaigns.  Together, these initiatives reach thousands of teens, parents and educators a year.   

For more information about Toyota Teen Driver or to learn how to enter one of the contests, visit http://toyotateendriver.com. Good luck and safe driving!

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants.  Toyota directly employs over 31,000 in the United States and its investment here is currently valued at more than $19.5 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.   Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. To date, Toyota has contributed $700 million to nonprofits in the United States.  For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit www.Toyota.com/community. 

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind.  Available in over half of all U.S. schools, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.