NHTSA Announces Highway Safety Award Recipients
24 March 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 23, 1999
NHTSA Announces Recipients
Of Highway Safety Awards
SEATTLEThe U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced recipients of the
agency's highway safety awards at Lifesavers 17, the premier highway
safety conference in the United States.
"I am delighted to offer my congratulations to all who have earned
awards by helping to improve safety, President Clinton's highest
transportation priority," U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater
said. "By enhancing safety, saving lives and preventing injuries, their
efforts have helped to improve the quality of life in communities across
America and make them more livable."
According to Secretary Slater, last year was a remarkable year for
highway safety. During it:
* alcohol-related fatalities reached an all-time low,
* the traffic fatality rate dropped to a record 1.6 fatalities per 100
million vehicle miles traveled, and
* seat belt use started to increase at a rapid rate.
"The needle is definitely moving in the right direction because
of our many partners who have joined together to save lives," NHTSA
Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D., said.
The following organizations received Buckle Up America Champion
Awards, which are new this year, for having demonstrated outstanding
commitment to the national campaign to Buckle Up America:
Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign
Operation C.A.R.E.
National Sheriffs' Association
International Association of Chiefs of Police
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
State of California
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
National Safe Kids
The following persons received 1998 NHTSA Awards for Public
Service, which recognize and honor individuals and organizations that
exemplified high standards of achievement in the field of traffic safety:
Keith Fontaine, Executive Director, The Norwich Bulletin, Norwich, Conn.
For leadership, compassion and understanding in dedicating his newspaper's
resources to making the City of Norwich a safer place to live.
Ann Burton, Executive Director, Sunnyview Hospital Injury Prevention
Services, Schenectady, N.Y. In recognition of her leadership and
exceptional dedication in promoting community involvement which has helped
prevent needless harm to people, especially children.
Larry Kendall, Director, Safe Traffic Operations Program, Huntington,
W.Va. For his creativity, "can do" attitude, and "big bang for the buck"
programs that made Huntington a safer community.
Joey Ledford, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Atlanta. For
significant journalistic contributions to traffic safety and efforts to
improve the quality of life for highway users in Georgia.
David Greening, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Heritage
Wafers, Ripon, Wis. In recognition of his outstanding support of and
commitment to highway safety and helping young, novice drivers in
Wisconsin and throughout the United States.
Josan Lewis, Caseworker, The Salvation Army of El Dorado, El Dorado, Ark.
In recognition of her dedication to child passenger safety and leadership
in the El Dorado/Union County Safe Community Coalition.
Herman "Bud" Balke, Coordinator of Victim Services, Missouri-MADD,
Jefferson City, Mo. In recognition of his vision and tenacity in
identifying and solving technical inadequacies within the court
record-keeping system relative to tracking multiple DWI offenders.
Officer Nancy Peterson, Englewood Department of Safety Services,
Englewood, Colo. In recognition of her outstanding ability to organize
community groups and to integrate traffic safety into her other crime
prevention efforts.
Scott Hansen and Kacey Hansen, RN, "Nurses and Cops Caring for Contra
Costa Children," Walnut Creek, Calif. In recognition of their commitment
to child passenger safety and outstanding skills in developing a
successful traffic safety partnership between law enforcement and the
medical community.
Monty Lish, Executive Director, Evergreen Safety Council, Seattle. For
extraordinary personal and professional dedication to promoting and
implementing traffic safety programs for local businesses, especially
programs directed at preventing driving under the influence and increasing
safety belt use.
Bryant McBride, Vice President of New Business Development, National
Hockey League, New York, N.Y. For outstanding achievement in improving
safety and contributing to the national impaired driving and Buckle Up
America initiatives.
Elaine Petrocelli, Executive Director, Association for the Advancement of
Automotive Medicine, Des Plaines, Ill. For 25 years of dedication to
crash prevention and injury control through her service with the
Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine.
Derek Humphries, Esq., Partner, Humphries & Brookes, Washington, D.C. For
his outstanding efforts and contributions which have garnered support from
the African-American community for President Clinton's initiative to
increase seat belt use.
Martha and William Rich, President and CEO, "War Against Broken Hearts,"
Atlanta. For their tireless dedication to preventing other families from
suffering the needless loss of loved ones at the hands of an intoxicated
driver.
William Rosendahl and Century Cable, Santa Monica, Calif. For his
outstanding efforts to promote highway safety and educate viewers through
his Week in Review program.
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http://www.dot.gov/briefing.htm
