
DATE: Sunday, November 16, 1997             TAG: 9711140168

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LEWIS KRAUSKOPF, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   79 lines

OFFICERS DRAG HOME A SAFE-DRIVING MESSAGE PRESENTATION TO TEEN STUDENTS USING RACE CARS WINS GOVERNOR'S TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AWARD.

SGT. WINDSOR BRABSON and Officer Shawn Arledge don't have a problem with driving fast.

After all, the two policemen love to drag race.

But their blood boils when they see people who aren't safe behind the wheel. They've seen too many crashes caused by teen-agers disregarding the law.

``So many times, you see carelessness,'' Arledge said.

So the two officers are using one of their favorite hobbies to relay an important message.

Last year on their off-duty time, the two officers spoke to more than 1,200 high school students about driving smart. But they supplemented their slide shows and lectures with something flashy: Their race cars.

After their 50-minute presentation to students, they roll out the cars - replica police cars that bear the city logos.

``The cars are attention-getters,'' Brabson said.

Well, the officers certainly got someone's attention, namely the governor. Brabson and Arledge last month went to Roanoke to receive the Governor's Transportation Safety Award in the law enforcement category.

The officers' program, Teen Age Drivers Safety Program, was chosen from eight nominations, said James E. Belshee, chairman of the awards selection committee.

``It was an excellent program that stood out,'' Belshee said.

The two officers also received a community builders award last month from South Norfolk Masonic Lodge No. 339 for their work.

The officers got the idea to use the cars from hearing of other police departments that have programs supported by the National Hot Rod Association. More than 100 police departments across the country use drag racing cars to convey messages, the officers said. Issues such as drugs, teen violence, and belief in Christianity are addressed in the spiffy decor emblazoned on hot rods.

After getting approval by Police Chief Richard A. Justice, the officers approached Ann W. Myers, supervisor of driver's education for the Chesapeake Schools, with their idea for a program.

Myers loved the idea - in fact it was she who nominated the officers for the governor's award.

The officers spend the day at high schools, speaking to each drivers-ed class. This year the officers have set aside six days to speak at each of the city's high schools.

``The whole emphasis of the presentation is geared toward the new driver,'' Brabson said.

Their presentations focus on dangerous driving trends that they often see among teens. Following too close. Not paying attention. Not wearing seatbelts. And of course, drinking and driving.

The officers believe that their message packs a strong punch because they have had first-hand experience with the result of unsafe driving.

``They can only tell you what's in the book,'' Arledge said. ``We can go and tell them what we see.''

But they also stress that there is a time and a place for revving up the engine and zooming off.

For example, there's a high-school drag-racing night at the track in Dinwiddie. There, racers are under strict supervision by professionals, and are in cars, like the officers', which are equipped for high speeds.

``Our two cars are safer than anything on the street,'' Brabson said.

Brabson should know. He's driven 90 mph in his car; Arledge has hit 115 mph.

But as fast as they've gone, they hope their message gets across even faster. MEMO: Any church, school or civic organization interested in the

presentation is asked to call Carol Jones, police administrative

services, 382-8222. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS

During their off-duty time, Chesapeake police officers S.R. Arledge,

left, and Sgt. W.L. Brabson used their replica police-car drag

racers to get the attention of more than 1,200 high school students

last year.