Pasadena Drivers Can Compete For $20K Just By Driving Safely

LOS ANGELES, CA — Safe driving is finally paying off in Los Angeles where's L.A.'s Safest Driver contest began this week as a way to discourage distracted driving. The city's safest driver will win $20,000.

"If we are going to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious accidents on our streets, we need to put an end to the epidemic of distracted driving," Garcetti said. "Safe driving is a reward unto itself, but some friendly competition is a great way to drive home the importance of keeping our minds and eyes on the road."

The competition lasts eight-weeks, and Angelenos cimply download an app that measures speed, acceleration, braking, cornering and phone use while driving.

The City of Los Angeles in partnership with United Services Automobile Association and Cambridge Mobile Telematics is offering $20,000 to the safest driver who lives or routinely drives in Los Angeles. Additionally, safe commercial drivers, the least distracted driver, veterans and young drivers can win anywhere from $7,500 to $10,000 for their safe driving prowess.

No leadfoots need apply.

LA's Safest Driver Contest will run from June 3-July 26, and is open to people 18 years and older who currently reside or regularly travel though the L.A. area. Prizes totaling $70,000 will be awarded for safe driving behaviors.

"If we are going to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious accidents on our streets, we need to put an end to the epidemic of distracted driving," Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a written statement. "Safe driving is a reward unto itself, but some friendly competition is a great way to drive home the importance of keeping our minds and eyes on the road."

To show off your safe driving ways, download the contest app and it will automatically activate based on phone movement and deactivate when your phone is turned off. The app will track five key measures: speed, acceleration, braking, cornering, and distraction. The app will score each trip individually for a combined score of 100 possible points.

The categories include:

· Safest Overall Driver: $20,000
· Safest Military/Veteran Driver: $10,000
· Least Distracted Driver: $7,500
· Safest Youth Driver: $7,500
· Safest Commercial Driver: $10,000

The full list of prize categories, an app demo, and the contest's official rules can be found at www.LASafestDriver.com.