By Mary McCarthy

The CT Technology Transfer Center’s second annual Roadway Safety Poster Contest for Children gained momentum this year and was focused on the theme of “Every Life Counts in Connecticut.”  Children across the state in grades kindergarten – 6th grade were asked to design posters with messages on how all road users can help to improve safety on our state’s transportation system.

The entries were very creative and many depicted scenes from the recent storms, highlighting how road users can help create a safe environment during storm clean up efforts.  Others focused on distracted driving messages and different types of road users.

Madison Moran a 5th grader from Tolland Intermediate School, took first place with her distracted driving message.  Vanessa Polidoro, a fourth grader from Tolland, took second place with her poster depicting the rules of the road.  Olivia Brancati (fifth grade) from Tolland Intermediate School came in third place.  An Honorable Mention was given to Aishwarya Benzy, a third grader from Thomas Hooker School in Meriden and Kate McAvoy, a second grader from Center School in Willington, won for the K-2nd grade category with her poster highlighting some of the different types of road users.

Winners will be recognized at a ceremony during the 2012 Work Zone Safety Press Conference; an annual recognition and promotion of National Work Zone Safety Awareness week (April 23-27) which is being held on April 24, 2012 at the Department of Transportation headquarters in Newington.  They will all receive certificates of recognition as well as prizes for their winning posters.

To learn more about the CT Roadway Safety Poster Contest for Children or Connecticut’s Every Life Counts in Connecticut Roadway Safety Initiative, please visit our website at www.t2center.uconn.edu or contact Mary McCarthy  at mary@engr.cuonn.edu