LOWEST NUMBER ON RECORD. STUDENTS IN THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY ARE GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL TODAY FOR PENNDOT’S ANNUAL YOUTH DRIVING SAFETY COMPETITION. 21 LICENSED DRIVERS ARE COMPETING IN WRITTEN AND DRIVING TESTS, ALL JUDGED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE EVENT ALSO FEATURES A POWERFUL MESSAGE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DROWSY DRIVING.
Central Pennsylvania students test driving skills in annual teen competition
Participants were evaluated through a written exam, a perceptual test, and a hands-on driving skills course.
Updated: 2:28 PM EDT Apr 29, 2026
Students from seven schools in Central Pennsylvania gathered on Wednesday at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit to compete in the PennDOT’s annual teen driver competition, testing their driving skills and learning life-saving lessons. The event was hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), South Central PA Highway Safety, the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, and local law enforcement. Schools represented included Big Spring, Camp Hill, Carlisle, East Pennsboro, Lower Dauphin, Waynesboro, and West Perry, with up to three student drivers from each school.Participants were evaluated through a written exam, a perceptual test, and a hands-on driving skills course, all designed to measure safety knowledge and real-world decision-making behind the wheel. Judges included state and local law enforcement officers, as well as other highway safety professionals. Marie McGahan shared her personal story with students, recounting how she fell asleep at the wheel and struck a pedestrian, an incident that turned deadly. PennDOT said the goal of the event is to reinforce safe driving behaviors at a critical age and help prevent road tragedies by educating young drivers before dangerous habits form.
EAST PENNSBORO TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
Students from seven schools in Central Pennsylvania gathered on Wednesday at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit to compete in the PennDOT’s annual teen driver competition, testing their driving skills and learning life-saving lessons.
The event was hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), South Central PA Highway Safety, the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, and local law enforcement.
Schools represented included Big Spring, Camp Hill, Carlisle, East Pennsboro, Lower Dauphin, Waynesboro, and West Perry, with up to three student drivers from each school.
Participants were evaluated through a written exam, a perceptual test, and a hands-on driving skills course, all designed to measure safety knowledge and real-world decision-making behind the wheel.
Judges included state and local law enforcement officers, as well as other highway safety professionals.
Marie McGahan shared her personal story with students, recounting how she fell asleep at the wheel and struck a pedestrian, an incident that turned deadly.
PennDOT said the goal of the event is to reinforce safe driving behaviors at a critical age and help prevent road tragedies by educating young drivers before dangerous habits form.