Metra launches 17th annual Safety Competition

Students across Metra’s service area asked to “Become a Safety Influencer” by entering the rail agency’s 17th annual Metra Safety Competition. The competition is being boosted this year with more ways to enter and more prizes.

Students in grades K through 12 must submit their entries to Metra for the chance to win up to $500 in prizes. For the first time in the contest’s history, students can submit entries in a variety of visual formats using the theme: “Become a Safety Influencer.” Students in Grades K through 4 can submit a poster and students in Grades 5 through 8 can submit either a poster or a 30-second video. Students in Grades 9 through 12 have the option of creating a poster, video, or social media post centered around the contest theme.

All entries must be received by April 1.

“Metra has a long history of being an active proponent of rail safety education through its participation in Operation Lifesaver, providing hundreds of safety presentations to schools and other groups across northeast Illinois every year,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “This contest has been a successful way to engage and educate our children about the importance of safe behaviors around trains and tracks.”

For complete contest rules and information on how to submit an entry, please visit the Safety Competition website. The contest is open to all students in grades K-12 who reside in Metra’s six-county service area.