There’ll be fun and games before Friday night’s football kickoff, but it’s designed to convey a very serious message.Friday Night Blue Lights, a Kentucky State Police program aimed at lowering the high number of crashes on Friday nights each autumn, will make an appearance in Crittenden County before this week’s football contest against Union County. Troopers will be on hand from 5 to 7 p.m., on the board of education’s central office parking lot to discuss vehicle safety and demonstrate driving simulators in a carnival-like atmosphere.
The program, undertaken before Friday night games across the state during football season, will feature a KSP rollover simulator, as well as one that shows teens what it is like to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Face-painting, carnival games, concessions and an inflatable slide will also be set up to supplement the information that will be offered to parents, teens and children of all ages.
“It’s just to remind people to drive safe,” said Mary Hollamon, president of the high school’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter.
FCCLA has teamed with KSP and Allstate insurance to bring Friday Night Blue Lights to Marion. FCCLA is acting as the host organization for the program, but the expense of setting up the displays and attractions was underwritten by a $5,000 grant from Allstate insurance. Holly White, the school system’s community educator and wife of a state police officer, applied for the grant. She said the program will make teens aware of the dangers on the road and help lower the state’s ranking as 10th deadliest for teen drivers.
