SCDPS partners with NASCAR driver to educate Darlington students on safe driving

Fri, 08/30/2024

MEDIA: Photos from this event will be available at the SC Department of Public Safety's online photo album. Please continue to check for updates Friday afternoon.

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) teamed up with NASCAR driver Ross Chastain for an educational outreach event at West Florence High School, one day ahead of the Cook Out Southern 500 Weekend at Darlington Raceway.

Chastain joined SC Highway Patrol troopers and State Transport Police officers to spend one-on-one time with students and staff to educate young drivers about safe, and unsafe, driving behaviors.

Along with interacting with highway safety professionals, students had the opportunity to speak with Chastain, see his show car, and talk about making good decisions behind the wheel. Chastain also signed autographs and answered questions about his career.

"I love events where I can connect with these young drivers and help them understand that one bad decision can completely alter their life," Chastain said. "If only one of these kids heads home today and they make the right decision to buckle up, slow down, or put their phone on do not disturb when they're driving, then I consider today's event a success."

West Florence High School students were introduced to the Highway Patrol's impaired driving course, which simulates the effects of alcohol or drugs on driving skills. The closed course, set up in the school parking lot, allowed students to operate a specialized golf cart while wearing alcohol-impairment goggles to demonstrate the difficulty and dangers of driving under the influence.

Students also experienced firsthand the effects of alcohol impairment with a fun game of corn hole. State Transport Police officers set up the game and challenged participants to land a bean bag on the board while wearing alcohol-impairment goggles, further demonstrating how alcohol affects spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.

"These outreach programs are a fun, interactive way to educate young drivers on the effect of alcohol and the importance of making good choices while driving," SC Department of Public Safety Director Robert G. Woods, IV said. "Our goal is to educate them about highway safety and foster positive relationships in the process. And in doing so, we hope it will help shape their future decisions in a positive way."

SCDPS and its Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs (OHSJP) have been bringing educational outreach events to communities across the state for decades. The goal is simple, allow students to experience real-life dangers behind the wheel in a safe and controlled environment so they make better choices when they are without supervision.

"I want to thank SCDPS for allowing our students at West Florence High School to participate in this great event," West Florence High School Principal, Matt Dowdell said. "West Florence is grateful for this opportunity for our students to be educated about the importance of safety behind the wheel. We appreciate hearing this message from Ross Chastain, and the time he took to be with our students and staff."

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.