Ringgold Police Department receives grant for teen drinking and driving awareness
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Ringgold Police Department received a grant from State Farm Insurance as part of a joint effort to raise awareness and better educate area teens about the consequences of drinking and driving.
The $7,500 grant allowed the department to purchase “Fatal Vision” equipment, which includes educational pieces that create a simulated intoxicated state for teens to show them how their vision could be impaired before and after getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.
“The fatal vision equipment will play an integral part in teen awareness and education,” said State Farm agent Lee Miller. “If we can save the life of one teen through this program, there’s no dollar amount that you can put on that.”
Police chief Dan Bilbrey says that the new trailer and equipment will be set up at different community events and school functions in the future so that teens can take part, and see what it’s like to have their vision and judgment clouded by alcohol.
“We’re very appreciative of the grant, the equipment, and the support from State Farm,” Bilbrey said. “We plan on having the equipment set up at the upcoming Teen Maze at the Catoosa County Colonnade.”
The Teen Maze, which is organized by the Catoosa County Family Collaborative and the Catoosa Prevention Initiative, began last year and is a theatrical, simulated game-of-life where teens will experience the consequences of poor decision-making by the spin of a roulette wheel or draw from a bucket.
Maze creators describe it as a “life-size game board” where teens navigate their way through life scenarios. Students increase their understanding of personal responsibility; learn peer resistance skills, how to make more effective life choices, and how to plan for a successful future.
Various individuals who have a certain “role” to play present the appropriate information for that particular path.
“The Teen Maze is a great event,” Bilbrey said. “The community came together last year to create the very worthwhile endeavor, and I really hope it becomes an annual event.”
This year’s Teen Maze will take place at the Catoosa County Colonnade from Monday, Oct. 7, through Thursday, Oct. 10.
In addition to the Teen Maze, State Farm is sponsoring an event called “Celebrate My Drive” as part of National Teen Driver Safety Week that runs from Oct. 18-26.
The program urges students ages 14 and older to make safe driving commitments at their schools, at which time State Farm will award more grants based on participation to 100 high schools.
The program will eventually give 90 schools grants of $25,000, 8 schools grants of $100,00, and two schools will be awarded a $100,000 grand and a grand prize concert by Grammy award winning singer Kelly Clarkson.
Schools interested in participating can register at celebratemydrive. com.
“Crashes are the number one killer of teens, and the first year of driving is the most dangerous,” Miller said.
The program is one that hits close to home for chief Bilbrey, who himself is the father of two teens.
“I have two kids that are both driving,” he said. “So far this year, we are still at zero driving fatalities in the city of Ringgold, and we want to keep it that way.”