The Ad Council and Project Yellow Light announced the winners of this year’s Project Yellow Light Scholarship competition, marking the campaign’s 15th anniversary. The annual initiative invites students to develop public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to warn their peers about the dangers of distracted driving. The winning PSAs will be showcased on June 26 in Times Square, with media space generously provided by Clear Channel Outdoor as well as displayed on digital billboards across the country. The winning radio spot may be shared on iHeartMedia’s national network and radio stations across the U.S.
Project Yellow Light was created in 2007 in memory of Hunter Garner, who lost his life in a car crash at the age of 16. The latest national data underscores the ongoing urgency of the issue: in 2024, distracted-driving-related crashes resulted in 3,208 fatalities and an estimated 315,167 injuries. Distraction played a role in 8% of fatal crashes, 13% of injury crashes, and 12% of all police-reported crashes that year.
The 2026 scholarships are supported by Clear Channel Outdoor and Elephant Insurance, in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), iHeartMedia, American Advertising Federation (AAF) and PIX11.
This year’s competition drew nearly 3,000 submissions from students representing all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The winning PSAs feature relatable, real‑life scenarios that use foreshadowing, emotional storytelling, and moments of shock to highlight the dangers of distracted driving. The 2026 scholarship awards were presented to the following students:
Head Out of Your Apps…(billboard design, college): Hannah Williams (Gainesville, FL)
Text Them Later, Alligator…(billboard design, high school): Lilwen Fout (Justin, TX)
Be A Ten…(radio, college): Chris Santos (New York City, NY)
Shot Clock…(radio, high school): Benji Johnston (Cedarburg, WI)
You Reap What You Sow…(Video, college): Hayden Yates (Amelia, OH)
Make It to School Safely…(Video, high school): Jana Kalumbula (Grand Rapids, MI)
Submissions were evaluated by a diverse panel of advertising professionals and artists who volunteered their expertise in support of the program. This year’s judges included recording artist and songwriter Aloe Blacc; renowned filmmaker and social activist Kweku Mandela; Wendy Clark, former CEO of Dentsu International; Co-Chairman and Partner of Goodby Silverstein & Partners Jeff Goodby; award-winning poet, songwriter, and author IN-Q Adam Schmalholz; and representatives from The Martin Agency and Omnicom, along with the Project Yellow Light partner organizations.
Since 2012, the Ad Council and NHTSA have worked together to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving through their national Distracted Driving Prevention campaign. Their continued support of the Project Yellow Light Scholarship competition reinforces this commitment and helps reach youth audiences through compelling peer-created content.
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“One of the most powerful ways to change behavior is through the voices of young people. Our Project Yellow Light participants prove year after year that creativity and awareness can save lives,” said Julie Garner, Founder of Project Yellow Light. “I’m proud of our 2026 winners and thankful to everyone who continues to support our mission to end distracted driving.”
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“Project Yellow Light empowers young people to educate each other about the importance of driving distraction free. This peer-to-peer outreach is authentic, impactful and creative. We hope everyone who sees these ads will remember that distracted driving is deadly and become safer drivers,” NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said.
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“Our student participants understand the realities of distracted driving because they see it every day, and the power of this program is that they’re addressing their peers in a way that feels real and relatable,” said Michelle Hillman, chief campaign & program officer at the Ad Council. “Their voices are compelling and this year’s winning work is a reminder to all of us that alert, focused driving saves lives.”
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“To see this level of creativity in students is equal parts astounding and reassuring. Just as Project Yellow Light validates the understanding of incorporating a youthful perspective for a problem that impacts all ages, the competition reminds us, impactful creative can come from all ages, “ AAF Vice President Dawn Reeves shared
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“Year after year, we continue to be inspired by the creativity students bring to this campaign,” said Dan Levi, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Clear Channel Outdoor.“Their ability to connect with peers in authentic, relatable ways demonstrates the power of young voices to spark meaningful conversations about distracted driving. For more than a decade, we’ve partnered with Project Yellow Light to raise awareness in communities nationwide, and we’re proud to use our digital billboard network to amplify these messages and encourage safer driving habits.”
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“Elephant values our partnership with Project Yellow Light as this initiative does more than highlight the dangers of distracted driving; it empowers young drivers to consider their choices every time they get behind the wheel. Congratulations to this year’s winners, we’ll see you on the road,” said Alberto G. Schiavon, CEO of Elephant Insurance.
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“For over a decade, iHeart has proudly partnered with Project Yellow Light and the Ad Council to elevate youth-created messages that make a difference by reminding their peer drivers to avoid distractions and stay focused on the road,” said Jessica King, iHeartMedia’s Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Engagement. “Every year these inspiring students bring fresh creativity and purpose to an important message designed to save lives, and iHeart is proud to help amplify their work to our millions of listeners.”
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“PIX 11 is proud to support Project Yellow Light’s mission to curtail distracted driving. We congratulate the next generation of creative minds who produced such impactful content,” said Greg Mocker, PIX 11 Transportation Reporter.
