RoadSafe wins Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Delaware’s At-Large District

When asked what inspired the creation of RoadSafe, the student said, “As soon as I turned 16, I immediately wanted to drive. During the first week behind the wheel, I had a near-miss moment where I was distracted by something next to me in the seat and I almost crashed into the car in front of me. And just 2 weeks later, a close friend of mine got hit by another driver because the other driver fell asleep at the wheel and reacted too late. He was fine, except for a large dent in his car. Nevertheless, it was eye-opening to see how such human error could lead to such tragic accidents. I realized that drowsy & distracted driving weren’t just statistics I see in the news, they were very real and had lasting impact on those around me and many other families around the world. As I did some research on such accidents, I was shocked to see there weren’t many solutions to this problem. As I went deeper, I realized that accident prevention technology was just emerging as it had only reached the branch of drunk driving. I then decided that I would help address this lack of solutions to distracted and drowsy driving by making my app RoadSafe. I realized that I could make a lasting impact with something as small as an app. I looked into ways to do this and I saw that AI was a promising method. I had to teach myself the workings behind AI models and how to manipulate them along with how to use Swift. Eventually, it paid off as I created an app accessible to anyone who had a phone that would help prevent one of the leading causes of deaths and accidents worldwide. ”

This year’s Congressional App Challenge set new records, with an unprecedented 382 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions—surpassing the previous high of 374. An incredible 12,682 students from across the country participated, representing a growth of over 1,000 students compared to 2023. These talented students submitted an astounding 3,881 original applications, showcasing their creativity, passion for technology, and the limitless potential of America’s next generation of innovators. This surge in participation reflects the increasing excitement around STEM and highlights a bright future for American innovation.