A student from Blacksburg has won a statewide license plate design contest focused on combating distracted driving.
On Thursday, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Blacksburg High School’s Kaya Windpainter as the winner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ Take Action Against Distraction license plate design contest.
The announcement was made during a recognition ceremony at the Virginia State Capitol Thursday morning.
Windpainter’s design was selected from a group of eight contest finalists, which included Jamestown High School junior Abigail Polansky.
As part of the grand prize, Windpainter received a $1,000 check from AAA and a plaque with her license plate design and her name on it.
“Kaya’s license plate is playing a key role in raising awareness about distracted driving and saving lives,” said Shannon Valentine, Secretary of Transportation. “Her message will make drivers think twice before taking their eyes off the road.”
The Division of Motor Vehicles reports 208 people were killed on Virginia roadways in 2017 as a result of distracted driving, according to a press release from Drive Smart Virginia.
Voting for the grand prize winner opened for the contest Feb. 20 and ended March 20.
The contest received more than 200 entries, and the eight final entries received more than 17,000 votes.
For more information on the license plate contest, visit the DMV Take Action Against Distraction License Plate Contest website.
