DOVER, Del. (April 26, 2023) The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is teaming up with NASCAR Drivers Ross Chastain and Chad Chastain to encourage Delawareans to “Use Your Melon” and Drive Sober. On Friday, April 28th, OHS and Ross will be at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Dover 680 S Bay Rd, Dover, DE 19901 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. making an appearance at the OHS 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.

On Saturday, April 29th, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., OHS will hold a second event at Grotto’s in Dover at 1159 N. Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901 where Ross will make an appearance again to greet fans and sign autographs.

OHS will provide educational activities and community outreach at both events to educate on the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol. In addition, OHS is partnering with the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) to 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. We have had a lot of success educating Delawareans on the importance of driving sober,” said Ross Chastain. “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.”

Ross Chastain is a native of Alva, Florida, and an eighth-generation watermelon farmer and champion NASCAR driver. When Ross was not on the track, he tended to the watermelons on his family’s farm. Ross competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing in the No. 1 Chevrolet. Last year was a career-defining year for Ross as he scored 2 wins, 15 top-5s and 21 top-10s. Additionally, he made history at Martinsville Speedway by riding the wall, in a move now called “The Hail Melon,” to advance to the Championship where he finished second in the season-ending championship standings.

Ross has always been passionate about traffic safety and his love for being a watermelon farmer. This led to the creation of his Use Your Melon and Protect Your Melon Campaigns which are helping to spread awareness of the dangers of impaired and distracted driving across the country, highlighting the importance to drive sober and buckle up every trip, every time.

“Impaired driving is an increasing problem on Delaware’s roads” said Richard Klepner Deputy Director, 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 in 2022, 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. Drunk driving can have a range of consequences, including the possibility of causing a traumatic crash. These crashes could cause you, someone you love, or a total stranger to suffer serious injuries or even death.

Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.

• On average, a DUI can set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, and more.
• If you’re caught drinking and driving, you can face jail time. Imagine trying to explain that to your friends and family or your place of employment.
• Drinking and driving can cause you to lose your driver’s license and your vehicle. This could keep you from getting to work, resulting in lost wages and, potentially, job loss.

About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com. Follow OHS on the Delaware Office of Highway Safety website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Media Contact:
Delaware Office of Highway Safety
Jason Coleman
Jason.coleman@delaware.gov
302-943-7293

Secretary Nathaniel McQueen Jr., DATE Director John Yeomans, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Communications
Manager Denée Crumrine, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long

DOVER, DE – The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) was joined by Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Nathaniel McQueen Jr. representatives from the Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to celebrate the launch of the State’s first Impaired Driving Simulator Program.

“It is critical that every driver on the road understands the repercussions of driving while under the influence,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “Deaths and injuries due to driving under the influence are preventable. Innovative solutions like this can help to reduce the number of accidents and save lives. I thank all of the state partners for their leadership and the support of Highmark DE in launching the DUI Driving simulator. Partnerships like this help make our state stronger and healthier.”

The simulator program, made possible through a partnership with the Office of Highway Safety and Highmark Delaware, will allow drivers to experience what can happen when they operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or while distracted with a cell phone. Vision, braking, and steering are impacted by the various levels of impairment and demonstrate the dangers in a virtual training scenario.

“Impaired driving remains prevalent on our roadways. Much like aggressive driving or other dangerous behaviors, impaired driving is entirely preventable,” said Secretary McQueen. “Many thanks to DATE, OHS, and the support of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for devoting their time and dedication to this project. Projects like this are critical for our efforts to reduce the incidence of impaired and distracted driving throughout our state.”

With 3,972 DUI arrests and 1,050 DUI related crashes occurring in our State last year, DATE and OHS will join forces to deploy the simulator at schools and community events statewide to educate the public and create an awareness around the dangers of impaired driving.

“Our Division is pleased to present this state-of-the-art Impaired Distracted Driver Simulator. From its inception, this project has been supported by our partners at Highmark Delaware, Delaware Office of Highway Safety and the Office of the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security,” DATE Director John Yeomans said. “This is an extremely valuable tool in our continued efforts to educate our citizens and especially our young drivers regarding impaired driving.”

“Driving under the influence is the result of poor decision-making, and has tragic consequences,” OHS Director Kimberly Chesser said. “The DUI Simulator offers an opportunity for people to experience various driving conditions, hazards and scenarios as if they were under the influence while safely using a simulation program. The simulation mimics the difficulties drivers will encounter at various blood alcohol content levels. By incorporating the DUI simulator into our safety programs, we are educating the community about the consequences of impaired driving and reinforcing our drive sober message.”

DATE was awarded a $140,000 grant from Highmark Delaware to help purchase the driving simulator.

“Highmark Delaware’s BluePrints for the Community is pleased to support the purchase of an impaired driving simulator for the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement as they partner with schools and community-based organizations throughout the state to combat impaired driving. By providing real-life scenarios in a safe and controlled environment, good driving practices can be instilled in our young drivers,” Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield President Nick Moriello said.

Media Contact:
Arshon Howard
Chief of Community Relations
Cell: (302) 922-0186
Arshon.Howard@delaware.gov

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 The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is once again implementing a multi-tiered strategy to encourage responsible driving behaviors and, ultimately, create safer roadways throughout Delaware during the Fourth of July holiday. The OHS SoberLift program, presented in partnership with Lyft®, will be activated in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, and Ocean View nightly from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. beginning Thursday, July 1 and continuing through Monday, July 5, ending at 2:00 a.m.

A key component of the campaign is the opportunity for individuals to receive free Lyft® vouchers* enabling them to “ride sober.” A discount code for a maximum $15 Lyft® value can be redeemed by texting “SOBERLIFT” to 99000. The Lyft® opportunity works hand in hand with a robust communications campaign throughout the Delaware beaches over the holiday weekend, and DUI checkpoints implemented by state and local law enforcement statewide (see below for dates and locations).

“The Fourth of July is about coming together and celebrating what unites us. Sadly, it is also an all-too-often deadly time on Delaware roads.  Before you head out for your celebrations, remember to plan ahead and arrange for a sober ride home,” Kimberly Chesser, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety.  “Deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired driving are preventable, and too many lives are tragically cut short in traffic crashes involving alcohol- and drug-impaired driving.”

Throughout the July Fourth SoberLift initiative, OHS will engage in a steady stream of messaging that encourages drivers and passengers to understand the risks and potential consequences of driving while impaired and to plan for a sober ride before the celebration begins. To achieve its goals, OHS will be communicating with the community through print and digital advertising; social media; table tents, posters, and sandwich boards in public areas, restaurants, and retailers throughout Delaware beach towns, in addition to public relations efforts. OHS encourages drivers to use its recently launched Arrive Alive DE Impaired Driving Simulator — available at arrivealivede.com/drive-sober—a first-of-its-kind augmented reality tool to help website visitors see the potential effects of impairment on driving. The “drive sober” website page also houses the new BAC Calculator tool to help website visitors understand the different levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) which refers to the percentage of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. In Delaware, a person is legally intoxicated if they have a BAC of 0.08% or higher.

Additional support will come from community partners helping to distribute educational materials and influence the unique community they serve. Most notably, the State of Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement will be distributing SoberLift materials to bars and restaurants in beach communities as well as engaging staff and other groups in discussion of ways they can impact positive behavior by, for example, adhering to over-pouring regulations.

“The SoberLift program allows the Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement the opportunity to work with our partners at Delaware Office of Highway Safety in promoting positive behavior by beach area bars and restaurants and helping to ensure our citizens and Delaware roadways are safer during the holiday weekend,” Chief John A. Yeomans, Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement.

Sponsors of this SoberLift program include Breakthru Beverage DE, Captain Morgan, Two Stones, Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen, First State Brew Bus, Washington Street Ale House/Oyster House, Dewey Business Partnership, Bluecoast Seafood, and Grill Rehoboth, The Starboard, Liquid Alchemy Brewing, and Aloysius Butler & Clark (AB&C).

“Since 2018, over 1,200 people across Delaware have used OHS’s SoberLift program during Fourth of July, and other periods prone to higher incidence rates for DUI arrests and crashes rather than possibly drive home impaired. The campaign is a success due to these people making the responsible decision to make a plan for a sober ride home before the celebrating begins,” Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist II & Public Information Officer, Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

July 4^th DUI Checkpoints Activated Statewide

Three sobriety checkpoints are scheduled for the upcoming holiday weekend beginning Friday, July 2 at 10 p.m. and continuing into Saturday, July 3 at 2 a.m. The checkpoints are part of a weekend-long mobilization educating Delawareans to secure a sober ride home before starting their celebration festivities.

The following are the scheduled checkpoint locations for the holiday weekend:

• New Castle County – Route 72 near Newark
• Kent County – U.S. 13 near Dover
• Sussex County – State Route 24 near Millsboro

The Independence Day holiday DUI checkpoint activation will include sixty-six law enforcement officers from fifteen local, county, and municipal police agencies in addition to Delaware State Police. At least one Drug Recognition Enforcement (DRE) officer will be part of the checkpoint activation in each county. The checkpoint locations are in targeted areas known to have a high number of DUI arrests and crashes including both injuries and fatalities.

OHS reminds drivers and passengers that in addition to alcohol and illegal drugs, medications prescribed by a healthcare provider and even some over-the-counter drugs can impair driving and may carry severe penalties.

Impaired Driving Statistics for Delaware

Over the period of 5 years from 2016-2020, drivers between the ages of 35 to 44 have shown the highest numbers of DUI crashes, with drivers 20 to 29 trailing behind. In the age-gender groups, it seems that age 20-29 and 35-44 males are the biggest contributors to this trend. Saturday typically has the highest number of DUI-related crashes, followed closely by Sunday for the 5-year average. The times where DUI-related crashes occur the most are:

• Friday 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Saturday 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Sunday 12 a.m. – 3 a.m.
• Saturday 12 a.m. – 3 a.m.

Over the July Fourth holiday weekend in 2020 (July 2 – 5, 2020):

• 52 DUI arrests were made over the holiday period (July 2 – 5, 2020)
• 24 DUI-related crashes resulted in:
  • 13 injuries
  • 4 fatalities

For more information, visit https://www.arrivealivede.com/drive-sober/.

*The number of daily SoberLift codes available will be limited.

Media Contact:

AB&C, Jenn Buchman, JBuchman@abcreative.com

DOHS, Cynthia Cavett, Cynthia.Cavett@delaware.gov

DATE, Jason Atallian, Jason.Atallian@delaware.gov

About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. Follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety on ArriveAliveDE.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.

STATE OF DELAWARE

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY

P.O. BOX 818

DOVER, DELAWARE 19903-0818

NEWS RELEASE

Date: July 9, 2020

Contact: DSHS Wendy Hudson – (302) 382-7978

DSP MCpl. Melissa Jaffe – (302) 382-2136

DSP LT. COL. MELISSA A. ZEBLEY NAMED

SUPERINTENDENT OF DELAWARE STATE POLICE

Today Governor John Carney joined Kimberly Chandler, Acting Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security, to announce the appointment of Lt. Col. Melissa A. Zebley as Superintendent of the Delaware State Police.

Lt. Col. Zebley, 50, assumes command of the State Police following the retirement of Col. Nathaniel McQueen Jr. Lt. Col. Zebley, a 28-year veteran of the State Police, is currently responsible for Internal Affairs, Information Support Services and Planning. She joined the Executive Staff in 2010 at the rank of Major with oversight of the Budget, Training Academy and Human Resource sections. In 2013, she transitioned to the role of Operations Officer overseeing New Castle County Patrol Troops and Criminal Investigations, as well as the statewide Traffic Section. Her former assignments include patrol Trooper, Training Academy Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Public Information Officer, Fiscal Executive Officer, and Troop Commander.

Lt. Colonel Zebley has also served as the Officer in Charge of the Honor Guard and as a member of the Division’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

“Lt. Col. Zebley has a tremendous track record of leadership at the Delaware State Police, and is the right person to lead our largest police agency” said Governor Carney. “A 28-year veteran of the State Police, Lt. Col. Zebley has the trust of community leaders not only in New Castle County, but up and down our state. I know she will build on the good work of Colonel McQueen to keep Delaware safe and continue to establish trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Thank you to Lt. Col. Zebley for taking on this important challenge.”

“Having served in almost every leadership position within the Delaware State Police, Lt. Col. Zebley not only possesses the qualifications, skills and experience to lead the State’s largest police agency but has also earned the respect of her fellow troopers and the Delaware law enforcement community. She has demonstrated the temperament, demeanor, and wisdom necessary to navigate the challenges in policing today and is committed to serving the citizens of our State, said Acting Secretary Chandler.

“I am humbled and honored to serve as the 26th Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. I thank Governor Carney and Acting Secretary Chandler for their faith in me to lead this division of professional and dedicated members. I pledge to serve with the dignity and honor befitting the high standards of the agency,” Lt. Col. Zebley said. “The Delaware State Police remain steadfast in our mission of service to all citizens and will continue on our course of community collaboration and progressive policing.”

Lt. Col. Zebley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science degree in the Administration of Justice from Wilmington University. She is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and a graduate of the 235th Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy. In addition, she is a graduate of the Anti-Defamation League’s Advanced Training School course on Extremist and Terrorist Threats and is currently attending the 43rd Session of the FBI’s National Executive Institute.

Lt. Col. Zebley is an instructor for the Delaware Leadership Development Program, a three-week school targeted for first line supervisors. Since 2003, she has served as an adjunct faculty member at Wilmington University, teaching in the undergraduate and graduate Criminal Justice Programs.

Lt. Col. Zebley is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, Mid-Atlantic Association of Women in Law Enforcement, and the FBI National Academy Associates. She was the 2015 Chapter President of the FBINAA Maryland/Delaware Chapter. She is currently the Chair of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) Law Enforcement Standing Committee.

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The 2016 National Liquor Law Enforcement Association (NLLEA) Training Symposium, co-hosted by the Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE), will be held from April 18 – 22 in Dover, Delaware. Registration is open to all Delaware and out of state law enforcement agencies.

This annual, week-long symposium provides core courses focused on the fundamental foundation areas of alcohol law enforcement and sessions that explore the changing challenges and demands faced by law enforcement agencies. The symposium courses improve the specialized knowledge and professional skills of law enforcement officers, whether new to the field or seasoned professionals. Some of the topic highlights include: Warrantless Administrative Search Authority, The 3-Tier System and Illegal Trade Practices, Underage Drinking Enforcement, Illegal Gambling, Special Events Enforcement, Fraudulent Documents, Social Networking/Cyber-Space Investigations, Undercover Operations & Techniques and more.

The symposium will be held at the Dover Downs Hotel. The hotel is centrally-located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic region, with a variety of restaurants and activities on site. The symposium fee is $400 per member and $500 per non-member attendee, which includes all training materials and lunch.

For more information about the upcoming 2016 NLLEA Training Symposium and to complete your registration, please visit http://www.nllea.org/trainingsymposium.html. To make room reservations or for any questions about the NLLEA Symposium please contact NLLEA Training Coordinator, Lara Morford, by email at lara.morford@nllea.org or by calling 301-755-2795.

The National Liquor Law Enforcement Association is a non-profit association of law enforcement personnel dedicated to the enforcement of liquor laws and regulations. The NLLEA has a membership structure that is open to all levels of persons involved in enforcing liquor laws in the United States and Canada.

The Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement is tasked with protecting the health, safety and welfare of people in Delaware through the enforcement of state liquor and youth access to tobacco laws, while maintaining the highest state of preparedness for responding to threats against homeland security. ATE Agents are certified police officers in the State of Delaware with statewide jurisdiction and arrest powers. ATE Agents have full authority to enforce all of the laws of the state, including liquor, drug, criminal, and traffic statutes.

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Media Contact:
John Yeomans, Director
(302) 741-2719
john.yeomans@delaware.gov