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On Saturday, March 16, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) will join NASCAR driver Ross Chastain for a “Meet and Greet” event at Food City, reminding citizens to “Use Your Melon” and never drink and drive. According to Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), there were 7,483 traffic crashes statewide involving a drunk driver in 2023. Nearly 45 percent of drunk drivers were ages 20-34. Accompanying Ross Chastain will be the 2024 Georgia Watermelon Ambassador Maycey Kight from Moultrie, Ga., who will hand out free watermelon slices to participants.

During the event, Ross Chastain will sign autographs, take photos with attendees, and discuss the dangers of drunk driving. In order to receive an autograph from Ross Chastain, each attendee must receive a wristband from Food City staff on Saturday, March 16. Wristbands will only be available for the first 200 people in line.

Additionally, Ollie Otter will greet children as Ballad Health hosts a car seat check in Food City’s parking lot to ensure car seats are properly installed. The THSO will showcase its seat belt convincer, a device allowing attendees to feel the impact of wearing a seat belt during a crash. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are encouraged to participate to receive child passenger safety tips, educational resources, and access to certified technicians. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children in America. In Tennessee, over 65 percent of car seats are improperly used or incorrectly installed by adults.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. til noon at Food City, 1921 Highway 394, Blountville.