MassDOT and Fundación MAPFRE High School Roadway Safety Public Service Contest?

Print Story | Email Story
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), in collaboration with global nonprofit Fundación MAPFRE, announced the launch of the third annual roadway safety public service contest for Massachusetts high school students. 
 
The contest, which was launched in 2022 as part of Fundación MAPFRE's Look Both Ways Program, seeks to help students raise awareness with their peers and underscore the importance of being safe while driving on roadways across the Commonwealth.  
 
"MassDOT is excited to renew our partnership with Fundación MAPFRE for the third annual roadway safety education contest," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "Engaging young drivers in safety education is a crucial step in our mission to enhance road safety, and we look forward to seeing the innovative ideas that students will present this year. Their participation is vital to our efforts to create a future free of roadway injuries and fatalities."   
 
To enter the contest, high schools can visit: https://www.fundacionmapfre.org/en/look-both-ways/. The deadline for contest submissions is Friday, March 21.  Students with the winning submission will work with the Boston Creative Communications Agency (CTP) to produce the spot, which is anticipated to air in the spring before prom and graduation season. Additionally, the winning students' school will receive a $3,000 prize provided by Fundación MAPFRE.   
 
"While statistics show a decline in road-related fatalities among young drivers over the past several decades, it remains the leading cause of death for that group," said Jaime Tamayo, Chief Representative of Fundación MAPFRE in the United States and CEO of MAPFRE USA. "It is inspiring to watch students deliver a serious message in creative ways to reinforce the importance of safe driving habits. This contest represents a great example of how peer-to-peer engagement can encourage change." 
 
Fundación MAPFRE, a non-profit based in Madrid, Spain, with North American headquarters in Webster, Massachusetts, aims to promote the well-being of society. One of the action areas to which the foundation is dedicated is prevention and road safety. It believes that, if the Vision Zero movement in 1997 led to a revolution in our understanding of road safety, the current goal should be to reach the point where there are no fatalities or road-related injuries.  
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield to Conduct Phase Two of Water System Flushing

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield will begin phase two of its spring water system flushing on Monday, April 28, following the completion of phase one. Water mains citywide will be flushed through hydrants to remove pipeline corrosion products. Flushing will occur Monday through Friday each week, excluding holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Phase two is scheduled from April 28 to May 2.

The flushing is expected to affect the following areas:

  • Starting at Unkamet Park Drive heading west to North Street, working north to the Broadway and Lakeview streets neighborhood.
  • Starting at Plastics Avenue moving west on Dalton Avenue, including the Allendale and Allengate neighborhoods, then moving west onto Tyler Street into the Morningside neighborhood, including Springside Avenue, pushing west to North Street.
  • Lincoln and Fenn streets, Silver Lake, Wendell Avenue, and the surrounding vicinity, pushing west to North Street.
  • South Mountain and Tamarack roads, Dan Fox Drive, and south to the Pittsfield-Lenox line.

Flushing may cause temporary localized discolored water and reduced service pressure in the immediate vicinity. The city states that treatment and disinfection levels in the system will be maintained. Residents experiencing discolored water are advised to run their water for a short period to clear it before use. Persistent discolored water or low pressure should be reported to the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.

The city indicates that flushing is a standard procedure for maintaining water quality in the distribution system.

 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories