PennDOT and Safety Partners Host Teen Driver Safety Competition in Erie County

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Northwest Regional Highway Safety Network, the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association Northwest Chapter, and local law enforcement hosted the 15th annual Teen Driver Safety Competition in Erie County. A total of 27 students from various Erie County high schools participated, competing for more than $1,800 in prizes.

The contest included a slow-drive obstacle course at Grace Church in McKean, a pre-trip vehicle assessment, and written tests to determine the county's top teen driver. Pennsylvania State Police, local law enforcement officers, professional truck drivers, and other driving experts were present to administer the exams.

Evan Calvert from Cathedral Prep High School secured first place in the competition, receiving a $1,000 prize. Miranda Shafer from North East High School earned second place and a $500 prize, while the third-place prize of $300 went to Benjamin Burkhardt from Iroquois High School.

The team with the highest group score consisted of Burkhardt, Thomas Shewalter, and Madison Chew, all from Iroquois High School. The participants' names will be added to the county's traveling trophy, which will be displayed at the winning school for the next year.

The cash prizes were donated by the Matt Barczyk Agency, a local Allstate representative. Additional partners for the Erie County competition included Vorzik Transport, Great Lakes Insurance Services Group, LLC, Lori's Wildridge Restaurant, Curtze Food Service, Erie County Department of Health, Transportation Solutions, UPMC Hamot, English Tire, and Hallman Chevrolet.