Christensen Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Christensen Law
Intro / Context
Distracted, impaired, and alcohol-related driving continue to take thousands of lives each year, with young drivers especially at risk. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving in 2023 led to more than 3,000 fatalities and an estimated 289,000 injuries across the United States. These figures represent real people — teens, parents, friends, and entire communities altered by a single avoidable moment of inattention.
Why this matters to us
At Christensen Law, we have firsthand experience with the long-term consequences of these crashes. We have represented clients whose lives were changed when a driver glanced at a phone, fiddled with the stereo, or made another dangerous choice behind the wheel. Impairment isn’t limited to drunk driving; distraction, sleep deprivation, and even common medications can reduce a driver’s ability to react. All of these causes are preventable. We also authored a meta-analysis on Distracted Driving in America; you can find it here.
2026 Stay Alert Stay Alive Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship
We’re launching the 2026 Stay Alert Stay Alive Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship Contest to elevate youth voices, encourage thoughtful solutions, and invest in the next generation. One Michigan high school senior or college student will receive a $2,500 scholarship for an original essay that communicates the dangers of distracted and impaired driving and proposes ways to prevent it.
Eligibility
- Open to Michigan high school seniors and students enrolled in a Michigan college.
- Applicants must submit an essay responding to one of the four prompts below.
Essay prompts (choose one)
1) It Can Wait
What would you tell a friend who drives while distracted — texting, changing music, eating, or simply not paying attention? Write a persuasive piece encouraging peers to make safety the priority every time they get behind the wheel.
2) The Voices of Victims & Families
Adopt the perspective of someone whose life has been affected by a distracted or impaired driving crash. Using real or imagined events, craft a narrative that illustrates the emotional and practical consequences.
3) From the Passenger Seat
When a friend or peer is driving unsafely, confronting them can feel frightening. Explore how teens can handle fear and peer pressure while advocating for their own safety when someone else is driving.
4) Create a Teen-Led Awareness Campaign
Design a campaign aimed at your generation. Describe the central message, the visuals or media you would use, and how you would distribute the campaign to make it resonate.
Important reminder — Michigan One-Touch law
While writing, keep Michigan’s One-Touch law in mind: it is unlawful to hold or manually use a phone while driving, even when stopped at a red light. The law allows a single quick tap or hands-free, voice-activated use only. Violations can lead to fines, community service, and mandatory driver improvement courses for repeat offenders. This statute exists to protect everyone on the road and underscores why focused driving matters.
Share your voice
Whether you write from personal experience, empathy, or imagination, we want to hear your perspective. Your essay could change how someone drives — or even save a life.