REGINA STUDENTS DESIGN SAFETY MESSAGE

Five Regina high school students are helping to make Saskatchewan's highways safer this summer.

Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag announced Morgan Pryce, Joel Tiefenbach, Brad Lafrance, Chris Simmie and Nathan Lariviere of Regina's Winston Knoll Collegiate as winners of the province's second annual Orange Zone Challenge. The contest provides students across the province an opportunity to develop advertising to influence drivers to slow down and drive responsibly in the Orange Zone.

"With $122 million worth of major projects this year alone, there is a significant amount of construction on our highways," Sonntag said. "This contest provides an opportunity for younger, newer drives to design messages to remind motorists to drive safely in the Orange Zone."

The winning entry was chosen from submissions from across the province. The students also had the opportunity to assist in developing radio and television commercials with sponsoring partners CTV and Rawlco Radio. In recognition of their efforts, IBM Canada is donating a new ThinkPad laptop computer to Winston Knoll Collegiate.

"This contest, while enhancing safety, also provides an invaluable opportunity for students to gain real-world experience that will help to enhance their careers after their schooling is complete," Sonntag said. "Thanks to CTV, Rawlco Radio, Golden West Broadcasting and IBM Canada for helping to provide this opportunity."

The ads developed by Pryce, Tiefenbach, Lafrance, Simmie and Lariviere will be used in the summer Orange Zone advertising campaign, scheduled to begin this week. For more information about the Orange Zone or major construction projects, visit the Web site at www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Doug Wakabayashi Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4805