CORAL GABLES,  Fla. (September 3, 2014) – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six is partnering with the University of Miami to promote “Put It Down,” a safety campaign that educates young adults on the risks of distracted driving.

The FDOT is targeting young drivers between ages 16 and 24 by partnering with local area educational institutions including UM, Florida International University, Miami-Dade College, Barry University, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Several outreach events will be held at local Miami school campuses, including an annual safety fair at UM on Thursday, September 18. The safety fair will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University Center Rock Plaza and will feature the UM Police Department, UM Parking and Transportation, UM Association of Commuter Students, PIER21 (the William W. Sandler, Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education), RED (Responsible & Educated Drivers), and members of the UM Student Government Executive Board.

Community partners such as The Dori Slosberg Foundation, Florida Highway Patrol, Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, City of Miami Beach, and AAA/Traffic Safety Foundation have all joined the campaign efforts as well. AAA will provide drunk-driving simulations and other simulated distracted-driving experiences for participants.

For more information, contact the University of Miami Police Department’s John Gulla at  305-284-1105. For more information on the national distracted driving campaign visit http://www.distraction.gov.