NASCAR Driver Ross Chastain visits Flowery Branch High to advocate for safe driving

NASCAR Driver Ross Chastain spoke with students at Flowery Branch High School about safe driving Friday afternoon. 

 

The Cup Series star partnered with the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Hall County Sheriff’s office as a part of his “Protect Your Melon” campaign, which encourages young drivers to always wear a seatbelt and avoid driving impaired. Chastain, who comes from a family of watermelon farmers, is known for smashing a watermelon after every race he wins. 

 

“We’re here at Flowery Branch High School just to remind these kids that wearing their  seatbelt could save their life,” Chastain said. “I've been impacted by a crash. One of my best friends…was ejected from his truck three months after we graduated high school… he’ll never walk again… the thought of what the seatbelt could’ve done by keeping him inside the truck has been on my mind ever since.” 

 

Chastain said his friend now runs the YNot Lifestyle brand, which also advocates for safe driving. Chastain has been raising awareness for highway safety for 10 years. Georgia is one of 14 states he visits through his campaign each year.

 

The campaign brought several interactive components, including devices that simulated impaired driving and a rollover crash. 

 

Director of Law Enforcement for the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety Roger Hayes shared that the department now also emphasizes the dangers of driving inattentively  during the lesson. 

 

“Our primary focus is seat belts and seat belt usage, “ Hayes said. “However, during our presentation, we talk about distracted driving, just putting your phone down. We talk about impaired driving and speed as well.” 

 

Hayes said accidents involving distracted driving have surpassed the number of accidents caused by impaired driving, with an estimated 28% of accidents occurring because of phone usage while on the road. 

 

Chastain will compete in the Jack Links 500 Cup series race Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. Tune in to AM 550 and FM 102.9 at 2 p.m. for coverage of the race.