calling all educators, storytellers, videographers and transportation safety geeks
We know you are in a rush. You have places to go and we want to get you there! But with great speed comes great responsibility. Whether you’re driving, walking, cycling, or scooting, maneuvering around campus can be a bit challenging. And unsafe driving or riding practices can cause injury to you or your fellow Terps.
Long Video
3-5 Minutes in length
$1,000 Scholarship Grand Prize & $500 for Runner-up
TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN, VIDEOS MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING
Micromobility (Bikes & E-scooters) Information
- The definition of micromobility.
- Where to ride:
- On the road/trails, in the direction of traffic, avoid sidewalks
- How to share the road (be predictable, stopping at stop signs, right to take the lane/passing distance, etc)
- A reminder to wear a helmet
Motorists Information
- Abiding by the campus 20 mph speed limit
- Be patient with smaller/slower road users (Ex. no tailing, honk, shout, rushing, or trying to squeeze by)
- 3 Feet Passing Law
- Don’t be a distracted driver (can show examples)
To enter, post your video to YouTube and send the link to dotsMarketing@UMD.edu. Emailed entries must also include the contestant's name, email address, university ID number, phone number and title of the video.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Pedestrian safety information
- Additional Driver Information (the Dutch reach/avoid dooring, other relevant traffic laws or signage)
- Additional Cyclist Information (lane positioning, signaling)
- Road Markings and signage related to micromobility vehicles, such as sharrows, dismount signs, etc.
We are debuting a new category this year: The short! We are offering a prize pool of $500 to students who create the best short videos (think Instagram reel) under 90 seconds highlighting their favorite safety tip(s).
Short Video
Under 90 seconds
$200 Scholarship Grand Prize & $100 for 3 Runner ups
TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN, VIDEOS MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING
- Information about your favorite safety tip for e-scooter operators, cyclists, drivers, or pedestrians.
TIPS FOR A GREAT SHORT
- Be creative! These videos should be upbeat and lighthearted
- Feel free to incorporate the latest Instagram or TikTok trends
To enter, post your video to YouTube as a short and send the link to dotsMarketing@UMD.edu. Emailed entries must also include the contestant's name, email address, university ID number, phone number and title of the video.
Videos should be creative and fun as well as informative. Videos will be judged on their content (all of which should be factual – no urban legends, please), originality and creativity. Do not risk your safety or engage in unsafe driving or riding practices while making this video.
ALL VIDEOS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023, IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN.
WHO CAN ENTER?
The contest is open only to University of Maryland students. Participants must be registered as a student and enrolled in classes during the Spring 2023 semester. The contest is not open to faculty or staff employed by the University. Students, staff and their families employed by The Department of Transportation Services are not eligible to win.
HOW DO I ENTER?
For long videos: Create a three to five minute video that provides an introduction to micromobility safety. Videos should be no longer than five minutes and shot in landscape orientation. To enter, post your video to YouTube with closed caption and email the link to dotsMarketing@UMD.edu. Emailed entries must also include the contestant's name, email address, university ID number, phone number and title of the video. All videos must be received by 11:59 pm Friday, April 14, 2023, in order to be eligible to win. The winners will be required to submit all files and audio used to create the original video file for DOTS’ use.
For short videos: Create a video that is less than 90 seconds highlighting your favorite transportation safety tip(s). Videos should be no longer than 90 seconds and shot in portrait/vertical orientation. To enter, post your video to YouTube as a short and email the link to dotsMarketing@UMD.edu. Emailed entries must also include the contestant's name, email address, university ID number, phone number and title of the video. All videos must be received by 11:59 pm Friday, April 14, 2023, in order to be eligible to win. The winners will be required to provide all files and audio used to create the original video file for DOTS’ use.
HOW ARE VIDEOS JUDGED?
The winning videos will be chosen by the DOTS Marketing and Communications Team. Videos will be judged based on their content, creativity and originality. Quality is an important aspect of the video but the video does not have to be a high budget production or look amazing. The judges will not award the prize to a video simply because it looks really good or has lots of special effects.
HOW WILL THE WINNER BE ANNOUNCED?
An announcement of the winner will be made on the Department of Transportation Services’ Instagram Account (dots_umd) on Friday, May 5.
CAN I SHARE MY VIDEO SUBMISSION ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA?
We would love for you to help us get the word out about this important topic. We encourage you to share your video or short on social media and tag us at @DOTS_UMD and use #SSWY #DoYourPart.
PRIZE
The prize money will be transferred to the winners’ Student Accounts. The prize is non-transferable. Students who work on videos in groups will need to designate one individual to receive the prize.
DISCLAIMER
All contest decisions are the sole right of The Department of Transportation Services, University of Maryland, College Park and are considered to be final. By entering the contest, participants agree that submitted videos become the property of DOTS, understand their name may be released to the general public and that their video may be posted online. We retain the right to use any and all video submissions on our website or social media accounts, and will credit the creator(s).