AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Transportation is again inviting fourth-graders throughout the state to participate in the Backseat Driver Poster Contest.

Students are asked to design a poster with an accompanying slogan that encourages safe driving in work zones.

In addition to the contest, teachers can download curriculum related to driving safety to help teach students about mapping, road signs and highway safety.

During the past 10 years, more than 7,000 work zone related crashes in the state have caused more than 3,400 injuries. The contest is designed to teach students the do’s and don’ts of driving safely in work zones – and to encourage them to be “backseat drivers” by reminding their parents to drive safely.

Contest winners will share $2,400 in prize money for classroom activities, and the top 12 entries will be showcased in a full-color calendar to be distributed around the state. The 2008 calendar featuring last year’s winners is available.

Download contest rules and fill out the registration form on the Backseat Driver Web site at www.mainebackseatdriver.com. All entries must be postmarked by Jan. 31, 2008.