Pennsylvania students challenged to find seat belt safety solutions

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — High school students across Pennsylvania have an opportunity to solve some real-world transportation issues in a state-wide challenge.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will be holding its eighth-annual ‘Innovations Challenge’ which encourages students to use problem-solving, creative and strategic thinking to find solutions to various problems the department faces.

This year, PennDOT challenges students to “develop a cost-effective, innovative solution that can help PennDOT more effectively increase awareness of seat belt safety and change behavior to improve roadway safety.”

According to the department, over 350 roadway deaths occurred in the state due to drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts.

“Safety is the focus of everything we do at PennDOT, and seat belt safety is vital to reducing fatalities and moving toward zero deaths on our roadways,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “Hearing fresh perspectives from our youngest drivers on how to encourage seat belt usage and change behavior is a welcome prospect. I am excited to see what concepts the students develop.”

The deadline for high school students to submit their solutions is Jan. 31, 2025. PennDOT will select regional winners for the challenge and invite them to present their solutions to the PennDOT Secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine a statewide winner.

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Four different organizations are providing a combined total award of $6,000 to the statewide winning team. Further details about the Innovations Challenge can be found on PennDOT’s website .

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