RALEIGH, N.C. – While there’s no shortage of things to do and see at the North Carolina State Fair, you can find education and fun at Safety City near Gate 10.
The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program and its partners come together to form Safety City, offering all kinds of exhibits related to safe and sober driving and buckling up.
Mark Ezzell, the director of the safety program, says it’s fantastic to have so many organizations come together to educate the public on safety.
“These partners are folks that we work with throughout the year, not just for Safety City,” Ezzell said. “Engaging with the public and engaging with one another really makes a difference…It takes a lot of different forms of local, state, federal, nonprofit organizations, government entities, all working together for a singular goal.”
“It’s a great opportunity to highlight the work they do and to do that in a way that is very friendly and professional,” he said.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office puts on one of the popular displays, featuring a drunken driving simulator. They invite people to try on a virtual reality headset inside a patrol vehicle to give them a look at how dangerous it is to drive impaired.
BikeSafeNC has motorcycles and experts on hand, and the BAT Mobile (Breath Alcohol Testing Unit) known as the Booze It & Lose It unit is there.
You can also find the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s booth inside Safety City. It features an open boat display, with the chance to ask wildlife officers about their jobs, conservation and anything hunting, fishing and trapping related.
The N.C. ABC Commission and Talk It Out NC have information and items to educate people about underage drinking.
Plus, the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Safe Kids NC program is there, featuring a green screen photo opportunity and booster seat displays.
North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey made a stop at Safety City on Friday morning. He also serves as the state chairman of Safe Kids, North Carolina.
Causey says education about keeping kids safe is important, as 90% of children who die in traffic accidents are either not in a child safety seat or not properly fitted in a child safety seat.
“We encourage people to come by the fair and pick up all these free materials that are available,” Causey said. “We have our handout books, we have sunglasses and just all sorts of fun and games for the children and family at no cost.”
They’re there from 9 a.m. until about 10 p.m. through the last night of the fair on Sunday.