Two Malcolm High School students have used their artistic skills to promote safer driving.
Recently, Yazmin Ratzlaff and Addy Hanson finished first and second, respectively, in a Nebraska Department of Transportation and Drive Smart Nebraska contest for Malcolm students to design a billboard to promote distraction free driving.
Because of its first place finish, Ratzlaff's hand-colored piece, called “Put the Phone Aside, Enjoy the Ride,” is now displayed on a billboard in Lincoln. The colorful picture depicts a first-person view of the driver with both hands on the wheel, looking out at landscape and the road ahead.
“The inspiration of my design was some of the nice scenery you can see while driving in Nebraska and other parts of the world,” Ratzlaff said.
Ratzlaff said she took the assignment seriously because of the impact distracted driving has on so many people each day. She said she hopes the message of her piece touches those who see it as they drive by.
“I'm glad to know that my art is being used to encourage safety and responsibility,” she said. “It's good to know that I'm helping to spread a good message.”
For her second place finish, Hanson's photo, “Distracted Driving,” was displayed as an ad in local media and on the DOT's website. Hanson's photo features a sun-soaked car with the words “every driver is owed your full attention on the road ahead.”
Hanson said the project resonated with her because distracted driving is an issue that is teen-centered.
“This issue is important to me because as a teen driver, I recognize the importance of driving safely,” she said. “We have so many distractions such as phones, food, friends and more.”
She said this was her first foray into graphic design and was pleased that it came together the way it did in order to spread an important message.
“Art is a great tool to communicate messages to others,” she said. “It feels great to know my talents are being used to help others.”
