What happened: Midland County, City of Midland, and local partners are inviting students across the community to help promote roadway safety through two new Vision Zero art contests. Elementary students in grades K–6 can submit original artwork focused on safety themes, while students in grades 7–12 can create one-minute videos on topics such as slowing down, avoiding distractions, or watching for pedestrians.

The contests are now open and designed to give young people a creative role in shaping safer streets across Midland. The contests are sponsored in part by Midland Rotary.

Why it matters: Vision Zero is Midland’s long-term initiative to reduce traffic injuries through road design improvements, enforcement, education, and public awareness. By involving students directly, Vision Zero organizers hope to build lifelong awareness about driving, walking, and sharing the road responsibly, while giving youth a chance to contribute their ideas to a communitywide safety effort.

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Go deeper: Grade-level art winners will receive a bowling outing from Lucky Strike, and video contest winners will earn cash prizes — $750 for first place, $500 for second, and $300 for third. The winning artwork will be featured in the 2026 Vision Zero Implementation Progress Report and displayed at City Hall. Winning videos will be presented at a City Council meeting and shared on the Vision Zero website.

What they’re saying: “Vision Zero is about saving lives, and education is a key part of that effort,” Midland County Commissioner Steven Villela said. “By engaging students in a creative way, we’re empowering the next generation to think critically about roadway safety and to be leaders in making our community safer for everyone.”

What’s next: Submissions are open now and due by 5 p.m. on March 20. Entries should be emailed to [email protected]. Contest guidelines and additional information are available on the Vision Zero webpage.