DELAND, Fla. – Launched earlier this year by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in partnership with the Volusia-Flagler Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), the Smart Driving College Challenge received the Interactive Marketing Skill Award at the American Association of State Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Transportation Committee (TransComm) Awards for steering students toward safer driving. The annual skill awards competition, hosted this year in Chicago on September 23, honors excellence in transportation communications from across all 50 state DOTs plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
The Smart Driving College Challenge targeted college students across four Volusia County campuses: Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Stetson University to encourage safer driving habits and reduce distractions.
“We used a social marketing approach to this project. This helped us learn more about reaching college students in a manner that would be well received. Students were very eager to speak with us, especially when they learned that participating in the Smart Driving College Challenge could win them prizes,” said Stephanie Phillips, Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator for FDOT District Five’s Office of Safety.
The six-week pilot program turned safe driving into a friendly competition using the Safe Roads Challenge (SRC) app, which tracked driving behaviors like phone use, acceleration, and speeding. Over 750 students and community members participated through social media, digital displays, and outreach events, earning prizes such as gift cards. Daytona State College won the $1,500 grand prize and earned the title of Volusia County’s Safest College.
“By engaging the students through competition and technology, challenges like this transform safe driving from a rule they ‘should’ follow into a choice they ‘want’ to make,” said Pam Blankenship, Community Outreach Coordinator for Volusia-Flagler TPO.
The Smart Driving College Challenge began as a joint project for Phillips and Blankenship and their collaboration was key to the program’s success. This award highlights the joint mission of both agencies to promote safer driving habits.
“It reaffirms that the work we’re doing to educate young drivers and encourage safe driving habits is making a real impact, said Blankenship “It motivates us to keep pushing forward—because every life that we can protect on our roadways is the greatest reward.”
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility. When we work together as partners, we can do more to further a positive traffic safety culture,” added Phillips. “I’m humbled for our project to be recognized by TransComm. It’s great to know we are making a difference, and I hope the award brings inspiration to other transportation professionals about innovative ways to connect with people.”
To view the full list of TransComm winners, visit: transportation.org/communications/skills-awards-winners-2025/
TransComm First Place Award: Pictured left to right holding the award- Pam Blankenship, Community Outreach Coordinator, Volusia-Flagler TPO;
Stephanie Phillips, Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator, FDOT District Five Office of Safety.
