Alfa Insurance Company is sponsoring a state-wide “DRV NOW TXT L8R” online video contest that calls for Alabama high school students to produce and post 1-minute peer-to-peer public service announcements creatively expressing dangers of texting while at the wheel.

The contest began Jan. 1 and will end March 31.

Alfa Department of Public Relations and Communications Director Jeff Helms said the contest has good participation so far.

“As these students produce their videos, hopefully they themselves will learn from the project, share the information with classmates, and post the videos on their Facebook to get the message out even further,” said Helms. “After all, the purpose of this competition is to prevent accidents and try to encourage safer driving practices. So, if this saves one life, it’s worthwhile.”

As of Monday, 35 entries have been posted to YouTube. Overall, Helms expects over 70 additional entries to be posted within the next two weeks.

No local entries have been submitted as of yet.

Winners will receive assorted Apple products, monetary school donations and cash prizes. Helms said the winners will be announced mid-April.

Drivers caught texting while driving could face fines anywhere in Alabama if a bill passed by the State House Committee this month becomes law. Drivers caught texting while driving would face fines of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second and $75 for a third.