BUTLER TWP — Tasked with driving a friend to work, high school students attempted to dodge pedestrians, pets and other vehicles, all while a passenger urged them to type and send a text while behind the wheel.

Some hit dogs crossing the street. Others jumped the curb or rear ended other vehicles.

A few managed to make it to the destination without incident.

Luckily, it was only a computer simulation showing various scenarios of distracted driving.

Students from Karns City, Seneca Valley and Slippery Rock high schools on Monday participated in a safe driver competition at Butler County Community College.

There were three parts to the testing: A written test, a scene image memory test and a hands-on driving test with an obstacle course. Students also had the opportunity to use a driving simulator and wear vision impairment goggles.

The three highest scoring students, who were all Karns City High School students, received scholarship money of $1,000, $500 and $250, respectively.

“In a lot of ways, it's a carrot for the drivers to be able to compete,” said Jeff Grim, coordinator of the community traffic safety project with Indiana (Pa.) University's Institute of Rural Health and Safety.

Participating students had to have a license for at least one year and have a clean driving record. This is the first time in several years the competition has been held in Butler County, but Grim said there are plans to make this an annual event here.

But more than the scholarship money offered, it gives students hands-on lessons about safe driving.

“There are a lot of different aspects covered,” said Matt Steinberg, 17, a junior at Seneca Valley. “I think it's great to reward kids who do try to drive safe.”

Taylor Love, 17, a junior at Slippery Rock, said it was eye opening to sit inside of a PennDOT truck and see the perspective those drivers have.

“Be more wary of the PennDOT trucks and how far way you need to be for them to see you,” she said.

A van parked behind the truck was about 50 feet away, and she said she was not able to see the vehicle in the mirror.

Most students admitted the hardest part of the competition was the perceptual image test. Students were given a few seconds to look at a scene to take note of signs, traffic lights, speed limit, hazards, type of highway, among other things. Grim then asked questions about the images based on their memories.

“It shows you have to be continuously scanning — there's a lot to pick up from the pictures,” said Ethan Conto, 18, a Karns City senior.

He scored second overall on the safe driving tests. He and his Karns City classmate LeErin Jones, who was first, will compete in a statewide competition in May for a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship.

County Sheriff Michael Slupe, who attended the event with other law enforcement officers, said it's a great opportunity for students.

“I think the young men and women were able to gain more safety knowledge about driving, distractions when driving, and the ultimate goal of being a safer driver,” he said.

“We are going to look at the other school districts that weren't able to make it this year to see if we can get more involvement and more competition. This event is educational, fun, and competitive.”

The safe driving program is funded through a state grant at the IUP Community Safety Project, which also is sponsoring competitions in Armstrong, Clarion, Indiana and Jefferson counties.

The Allstate Foundation through a grant to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh provided the scholarship money to top-scoring students.