NASCAR’s Chastain urges Delawareans to use their melons behind the wheel

By Mike Finney
Posted 4/27/23

DOVER – Ross Chastain is not only a winning driver in NASCAR’s Cup Series, but he is also an eighth-generation watermelon farmer from Alva, Florida.

So, it is no surprise that the …

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NASCAR’s Chastain urges Delawareans to use their melons behind the wheel

Posted

DOVER – Ross Chastain is not only a winning driver in NASCAR’s Cup Series, but he is also an eighth-generation watermelon farmer from Alva, Florida.

So, it is no surprise that the Delaware Office of Highway Safety is teaming up with him to encourage Delawareans to “Use Your Melon” and drive sober.

Tonight, the Office of Highway Safety and Chastain will be at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Dover at 680 S. Bay Rd. from 5 until 7 p.m.

Chastain will be appearing at the Drive Sober table to sign autographs and promote the Use Your Melon campaign reminding drivers to never drive impaired and always plan for a sober ride home.

A similar event will take place Saturday night at Grotto’s in Dover at 1159 N. Dupont Hwy. from 5 until 7 p.m.

The Office of Highway Safety will provide educational activities and community outreach at both events to educate individuals on the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement will have their DUI simulator on site for both events where Delawareans can experience firsthand the dangers of driving impaired while in a safe and controlled environment.

“I am thankful to once again partner with the Delaware Office of Highway on our Drive Sober Use Your Melon program,” Chastain said. “We have had a lot of success educating Delawareans on the importance of driving sober.

“As impaired driving related crashes, injuries and fatalities increase in Delaware and across the country, I am looking forward to using my platform to help the Delaware Office of Highway Safety educate all road users on the catastrophic dangers of driving impaired.”

Chastain competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing in the No. 1 Chevrolet. Last year was a career-defining year for him as he drove to a pair of victories, 15 top-5s and 21 top-10s.

Additionally, he made history at Martinsville Speedway by riding the outside wall in a move now called “The Hail Melon” to advance to the championship where he finished second in the season-ending standings.

“Impaired driving is an increasing problem on Delaware’s roads,” said Richard Klepner, deputy director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “If drivers are impaired by any substance – alcohol or drugs – they should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

“We are proud to partner with Ross and his team utilizing his platform to increase public awareness of the dangers regarding impaired driving.”

In Delaware, impaired driving crashes and arrests are increasing.

Last year, there were 1,201 crashes, 104 serious injuries and 4,655 arrests involving impaired driving on Delaware roads.

Statistics show that most fatal crashes occur on Friday night through Sunday morning with increases in the summer months and the month of December.

Since 2018, 40% of fatal crashes have involved impairment and males aged 20-44 are more likely than females to be driving drunk when involved in fatal crashes.

Nationally, in 2020, there were 11,654 people killed in drunk-driving crashes.

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