Celebrating 10 Years of Streets, Art, SAFE: A Decade of Creativity, Learning, and Saving Lives
This year marks a major milestone for Streets, Art, SAFE: ten years of empowering high school students to learn about traffic safety—and then demonstrate that learning through creativity.
At the heart of the program is a simple but powerful educational model. Students first learn core road safety concepts, risks, and behaviors. They then reinforce that knowledge by creating public service announcements (PSAs) through film or poster design, translating what they’ve learned into clear, compelling messages aimed at their peers. In doing so, students don’t just absorb information; they actively apply it, reflect on it, and advocate for safer choices.
What began in 2015 as a small student film competition has grown into a nationally recognized education and arts program that brings together students, educators, artists, and community partners around a shared goal: making streets safer and saving lives through youth-led storytelling.
The program was created by the nonprofit Streets Are For Everyone, which works to prevent traffic violence and make streets safer for everyone, whether you walk, bike, roll, or drive.
Why Streets, Art, SAFE Matters
Traffic violence is the leading cause of death for teens ages 13–19 in the United States. Streets, Art, SAFE meets this reality head-on by engaging students where they already are: creativity, media, and visual storytelling.
Through the program, students learn about road safety while producing public service announcements (PSAs) through film, posters, and visual design. Along the way, they build real-world skills in filmmaking, graphic design, critical thinking, and communication—skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Public service announcements are a powerful tool for social change. They use creativity and communication to raise awareness, shift attitudes, and inspire safer behavior. Streets, Art, SAFE invites students to explore traffic safety not as an abstract concept, but as a real issue affecting their families, friends, and communities.
From One School to a National Program
Over the past decade, Streets, Art, SAFE has evolved in meaningful ways.
What started as a film competition with one school and nine students has expanded to include a poster competition, now in its second year, making the program accessible to even more students. Today, the program reaches 63 participating schools, with students joining from across California as well as Arizona, Florida, New York, Texas, and Michigan.
Each year, the program grows not just in size, but in depth, creativity, and impact.
Learning Through Mentorship
A defining feature of Streets, Art, SAFE is mentorship. Students receive feedback from industry professionals who challenge them to sharpen their ideas and strengthen their work.
As one teacher shared:
“The group that won reshot over half of their film after receiving feedback. That process is really valuable; it shows students how much stronger their work can become through revision and learning.”
This emphasis on iteration and growth mirrors real creative industries and helps students understand that strong storytelling takes time, reflection, and collaboration.
Memorable PSAs Over the Years
Over the last ten years, students have produced powerful films and posters addressing distracted driving, speeding, impairment, drowsy driving, street racing, and more. These projects reflect lived experiences, personal loss, and a deep desire to protect others.
Selected PSAs include:
Selected Poster Highlights:
Be a Hero, Not a Hazard – Cypress High School
Because You Can’t Bubblewrap Everyone – University High School Charter
Walk It Out – Compton Early College
The Stories Behind the Art
Some of the most powerful moments in Streets, Art, SAFE happen behind the scenes.
Last year, students were asked to share why they chose their PSA topics. Many wrote about witnessing collisions, experiencing near misses, or losing loved ones to traffic violence. One student from SEED School described watching a drunk-driving crash firsthand and realizing “how fragile humans are.” A student from University High School Charter reflected on repeated close calls while walking due to distracted drivers:
“I’ve faced too many close calls when walking on the street due to drivers not paying attention”.
Others focused on responsibility and peer pressure. A student from Saint Monica Preparatory wrote:
“Putting on your seatbelt takes three seconds, but not wearing it can cost your life.”
For many students, the project became a moment of self-reflection—about maturity, speaking up, and protecting one another. As one student from Roosevelt High School shared:
”If even one person changes their behavior because of my poster, it was worth it.”
These reflections remind us that Streets, Art, SAFE is more than a competition. It is a space where creativity meets real-world consequences, and where young people discover the power of their voices.
Looking Ahead
None of this work would be possible without the support of dedicated partners and sponsors who believe in education, prevention, and youth leadership. We are grateful for the continued support of our presenting sponsor AAA, along with Honda, Waymo, Metrolink, GSTV, LA DOT, Street Racing Kills, Davidson Bike Law, and Tranzito-Vector.
As we celebrate ten years of the Streets, Art, SAFE film competition and the continued growth of the poster program, we are reminded that the work is far from finished. Traffic violence remains a leading threat to young people, and student voices are more important than ever.
Ten years in, the message is clear: when young artists are given the tools, mentorship, and platform to speak out, they don’t just create art; they create change.
