FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2026
CONTACT: ARRIALE TABSON
Mobile: 615-767-3242
Arriale.Tabson@tn.gov
Media Advisory
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE JOINS NASCAR STAR ROSS CHASTAIN FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY EVENT AT WALMART SUPERCENTER
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – On Friday, May 29, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), a division of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, will join NASCAR driver Ross Chastain at Walmart Supercenter for a traffic safety event, reminding citizens to “Use Your Melon” and never drink and drive. During the event, Ross Chastain will sign autographs, offer photos with his show car, and speak to attendees about the dangers of drunk driving. Accompanying Ross Chastain will be the 2026 National Watermelon Queen Katelyn Lindsay from Locust Grove, Ga., 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 promote driver safety. Partners include AAA – The Auto Club Group, Vanderbilt Health, TriStar Skyline Medical Center, Reduce TN Crashes, Tennessee Tech University, Tennessee Trucking Foundation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Department of Transportation, local law enforcement, and more.
WHAT: Traffic Safety Event with Ross Chastain
WHEN: Friday, May 29, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE: Walmart Supercenter
3600 Mallory Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
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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.