State police NASCAR vehicle to teach driving safety

July 20, 2000

State police NASCAR vehicle to teach driving safety

By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI / Staff Writer

To remind motorists that aggressive driving is for the speedway and not the highway, Maryland State Police added a NASCAR stock car to its fleet Thursday.

The vehicle is an educational tool to be used in conjunction with traffic safety posters to increase public awareness of the dangers of reckless driving, said Cpl. Rob Moroney of the state police public affairs unit.

"We think it will have an impact," he said.

The NASCAR vehicle will be displayed at parades, carnivals and other events across the state, he said.

Moroney said the popularity of NASCAR racing made the stock car a perfect fit as a promotional tool.

A schedule of appearances has not been set and each barracks commander must request the stock car, he said.

The 400 horsepower Thunderbird can reach a speed of 130 mph but will not be used for racing, he said.

The black and olive Ford Thunderbird, covered with the insignia of the Maryland State Police and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, will serve as a moving billboard.

The rear of the vehicle has information about the Maryland Center for Missing Children.

When not on display, the stock car will be kept at the Pikesville, Md., or Waterloo, Md., barracks, Moroney said.

The state police NASCAR vehicle and advertising decals were donated by residents in support of the ongoing safety campaign.

"This is a unique way for use to continue our efforts to reach Marylanders of all ages with important safety messages that include reducing aggressive driving and driving while intoxicated, while increasing safety belt and child safety issues," said Maryland State Police Col. David B. Mitchell in a press release.

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