![](https://gantnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/PENNDOTPLACEMENT.jpg)
![Pictured, from left to right, are DuBois winners: Ali Martini (third place), Erin Wilderoter (first place), Gabby Buckley (second place) and Denise Delp, English teacher. In back are: DuBois City Police Corporal Matt Robertson, Officer David Tracy, Officer Paul Brosky and Assistant Principal Brian Mullhollan. (Provided photo)](https://gantnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Winners-of-placemat-contest-DUBOIS-300x259.jpg)
CLEARFIELD COUNTY – As part of a statewide DUI enforcement mobilization, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Clearfield County DUI Strike Force and the Pennsylvania DUI Association held a placemat contest for ninth grade students in Clearfield County to portray the dangers of driving while under the influence.
Participants were encouraged to incorporate additional unsafe driving behaviors in their artwork, such as, texting and driving, not buckling up, and or aggressive driving. The placemats are an integral part of the current statewide DUI mobilization which runs through the weekend.
Winners of the contest had their artwork featured at local participating restaurants including: Lia’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant, Joey’s Restaurant, Croatian Club, Clearfield Dutch Pantry, Philipsburg Pizza Hut, DuBois Pizza Hut, DuBois Dutch Pantry, Luigi’s Ristorante, Perkin’s Restaurant & Bakery, and M&M Scotto’s Pizza from July 1 – 5.
Three winners were chosen from each school that entered. The Moshannon Valley School District winners included: Harley Hummel (first place), Rhianna Higgins (second place) and Kelsey McBride (third place). DuBois Area School District winners included: Erin Wilderoter (first place), Gabby Buckley (second place) and Ali Martini (third place).
![Pictured, from left to right, are DuBois winners: Ali Martini (third place), Erin Wilderoter (first place), Gabby Buckley (second place) and Denise Delp, English teacher. In back are: DuBois City Police Corporal Matt Robertson, Officer David Tracy, Officer Paul Brosky and Assistant Principal Brian Mullhollan. (Provided photo)](https://gantnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Winners-of-placemat-contest-DUBOIS-300x259.jpg)
Alcohol-related crashes and fatalities trend higher around holidays like Independence Day. According to PennDOT data, last year there were 330 alcohol-related crashes resulting in 11 fatalities from Friday, June 26, to Sunday, July 5.
PennDOT reminds motorists that there are safe alternatives to drinking and driving, and there is no excuse to get behind the wheel when you are impaired. Additional Independence Day safety tips include:
- Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.
- Designate a sober driver or use public transportation to get home safely.
- Download NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app at nhtsa.gov/link/saferride/.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to report it to local officials.
- Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. If you know people who are about to drive or ride after drinking, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to
For more information on impaired driving visit, www.penndot.gov/safety. For regional updates follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAStateCOLL.