Safe-Driver wins Rep. Debbie Dingell’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Michigan’s Sixth District

Rep. Dingell has named Ishaan Sid, an 11th Grader at Novi High School, as the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Michigan’s Sixth District.

When asked what inspired the creation of Safe-Driver, the student said, “I’m 16, what do 16 year old kids do ? they learn to drive… 🙂 Driving a car gives freedom and opens opportunities. However, it comes with responsibility. We need to keep ourselves and the people around us safe. I realized how  watchful my parents were when driving, always keeping one eye on the speedometer and another on the speed limit.. It became evident that speed limits were not mere numbers; speed limits are relevant and important safety tools. I thought it would be a great idea for me to help new drivers by creating something that can remind us when we are speeding and also track my driving habits.

My passion for technology played a significant role in fueling this idea. I’ve always been fascinated by the potential of technology to address real-world issues and make a positive impact on society. This project became my way of giving back to the community, providing a tool that could enhance road safety for new drivers and, by extension, all road users.

While I had experience with robotics in controlled environments, developing an app that interacted with the unpredictable dynamics of the real world presented a whole new set of challenges. It was an opportunity for personal growth and learning, allowing me to apply my technical skills in a practical and meaningful way.

In conclusion, my driving safety app was born out of a desire to ensure the safety of new drivers like myself, a passion for technology, and a commitment to giving back to my community. It embodies the spirit of responsibility, innovation, and a commitment to making our roads safer for everyone.


I want to thank Congressional App Challenge and Mrs. Debbie Dingell for giving me such a wonderful opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.”

This year’s Challenge saw an unprecedented level of participation, with 374 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions, surpassing the previous record of 340. A remarkable 11,334 students from across the United States competed in this year’s Challenge, marking an impressive increase of nearly 1,000 participants compared to the previous record set in 2019. The enthusiasm and creativity these students display is a testament to the growing interest in technology and signal a bright future for American innovation. The surge of ingenuity continued with a whopping 3,645 original applications flooding in, nearly a thousand more than the previous year’s high. This remarkable growth showcases the exceptional talent and innovation within our nation’s youth.


The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. This resounding show of bipartisan support emphasizes the critical importance of STEM education in today’s rapidly evolving world. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and each winning team is invited to showcase their winning app to Congress during our annual #HouseOfCode festival. The program is a public-private partnership made possible through funding from Omidyar Network, AWS, Rise, theCoderSchool, Apple, and others.

The 2024 Congressional App Challenge will launch in May of 2024, and eligible students can pre-register for the competition now.