Mercer Island High School (MIHS) sophomore Garrett Dubofsky was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship for a physics-based public service announcement about distracted driving.

“In Physics 2 Honors, students study forces and motion. In both units, we incorporate a theme of driving safety,” said physics teacher Brian Hampsch. “At the end of the unit I asked students to produce a public service announcement about distracted driving.”

Hampsch gave students the opportunity to enter their work into a contest sponsored by Drive Smart: No Distraction, No Excuses.

“Garrett’s entry was the runner-up winner and he will receive a $1,000 scholarship for his work,” said Hampsch.

As his mentor, Hampsch will also receive $250 for his classroom.

Dubofsky’s entry, “Put the phone away and live another day,” included a video and a graphic describing the rate and distance a car can travel, and how little reaction time a distracted driver might have if an object or person is in a car’s path.

“At 60 miles per hour you can travel up to 528 feet, which is almost two football fields, before you hit the brakes. And when you do hit the brakes, it doesn’t look good for the pedestrian,” Dubofsky said. “There’s an average of 11 teens who die each day due to distracted driving. Let’s change that. Let’s make zero the standard.”