Sutliff & Stout Annual Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Sutliff & Stout Law Firm
Introduction Motor vehicle crashes are the top cause of death for people aged 15–24. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that distracted driving was responsible for 2,841 fatalities in 2018, and that the same year saw 400,000 injuries resulting from distracted-driving collisions. Distracted driving is a serious public-safety issue, and it is especially common among younger drivers. While they are not the only group involved, young drivers who operate vehicles while distracted present real danger to themselves and others.
Recognizing a problem is the first step toward changing behavior. Many of us point out distracted driving in others, but fewer take the time to examine our own habits behind the wheel.
The First Step to Distraction-Free Driving Scholarship To help reduce the harm distracted driving causes among young motorists, the attorneys at Sutliff & Stout are awarding a $1,500 scholarship to a student who demonstrates thoughtful reflection and a concrete plan to curb distracted driving.
What we want you to write Submit an original essay of at least 500 words that identifies your most frequent distracted-driving behaviors and explains specific actions you will take to stop them. Reflect on how you most often become distracted while driving—this might include clear examples such as texting, tweeting, or changing playlists, or less obvious behaviors like turning to talk with passengers or playing audio so loud you can’t hear surrounding traffic. Then describe realistic, detailed steps you will implement to eliminate those distractions.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be either:
- outgoing high school seniors (graduating summer 2026) who will be entering a college, trade school, or university, or
- students enrolled in a college, trade school, or university as of the start of the fall 2026 semester.
Submission and notification
- After submitting your application, you will not receive a confirmation email. Your entry is recorded automatically.
- Due to the large number of submissions, please do not call to verify receipt. If you are selected, we will contact you about your essay and application.