Marks & Harrison, a law firm with over a century of service in Virginia and Washington DC, has announced its third annual Driver Safety Scholarship Contest, now accepting essays and videos from students. The contest aims to raise awareness about distracted driving, a leading cause of traffic accidents, while supporting higher education. A total of $4,200 in scholarships will be awarded, with $2,000 for first place, $1,200 for second, and $1,000 for third.
Eligible participants include graduating high school seniors in Virginia and rising college freshmen enrolled at a two- or four-year institution in Virginia or Washington DC. Entries must be original essays of at least 1,000 words or video essays of 5–6 minutes, addressing the question: "How can we educate our community about the dangers of distracted driving, and what are some practical ways we can drastically reduce distracted driving-related accidents?" The tone may be serious or light-hearted, but entries must be thoughtful and well-researched.
Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2026, with only one entry per student allowed. A panel will judge entries based on originality and creativity. Winners will be announced on June 2, 2026, and their entries will be published on the firm's website and social media channels.
This initiative underscores Marks & Harrison's commitment to community safety, particularly in addressing distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed 3,522 lives in 2021 alone, making educational efforts like this contest vital. By engaging students directly, the firm hopes to foster innovative solutions and promote safer driving habits among young drivers.
The contest also supports students financially during a critical transition to college. With rising tuition costs, scholarships like these can alleviate some burden while encouraging civic engagement. Marks & Harrison has a long history of supporting accident victims through its personal injury practice, but this contest takes a proactive approach by preventing accidents before they occur.
For more information on contest rules and submission guidelines, students can visit the firm's scholarship page or contact Marks & Harrison at (804) 286-2770. The firm emphasizes that all entries must be original and not previously published.
