FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2025
CONTACT: ARRIALE TABSON
Mobile: 615-767-3242
Arriale.Tabson@tn.gov
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE JOINS NASCAR STAR ROSS CHASTAIN FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY EVENT
THSO visits Science Hill High School, Sullivan East High School on April 11
TRI-CITIES, Tenn. – On Friday, April 11, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) will join NASCAR driver Ross Chastain for a traffic safety event, reminding attendees to “Use Your Melon” and never drink and drive. This event is exclusive for students at Science Hill High School and Sullivan East High School. This event is not open to the public, but media is invited to attend and help spread awareness for traffic safety. According to Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), there were 6,022 traffic crashes statewide involving a drunk driver in 2024. Nearly 47 percent of drunk drivers were ages 20 – 34.
During the event, Ross Chastain will sign autographs, offer photos with his show car, and speak to students about the dangers of drunk driving. Accompanying Ross Chastain will be the 2025 Florida Watermelon Queen Reagan Hudson from Chiefland, Fla., who will hand out free watermelon slices to participants. The THSO will showcase its seat belt convincer, a device allowing attendees to feel the impact of wearing a seat belt during a crash. Traffic safety partners will offer vehicle displays, educational resources, and hands-on activities to teach driver safety. Partners include Reduce TN Crashes, Tennessee Driver Services, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Trucking Foundation, and more.
WHAT: Traffic Safety Event
WHEN: Friday, April 11, 2025
9 a.m. CST – 11 a.m EDT (Science Hill High School)
1 p.m – 3 p.m. EDT (Sullivan East High School)
WHERE: Science Hill High School
1509 John Exum Pkwy
Johnson City, TN 37604
Sullivan East High School
4180 Weaver Pike
Bluff City, TN 37618
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The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is a division of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security advocating for traffic safety. The THSO works in tandem with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to implement statewide programs addressing occupant protection, impaired driving, speed enforcement, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and crash data collection and analysis. Programs administered by the THSO are 100 percent federally funded. The THSO’s mission is to effectively develop, implement, and evaluate these programs. To learn more, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.