The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced the 2019 NHTSA Public Service Awards. Deputy Administrator Heidi R. King presented the awards at the 2019 Lifesavers Conference on Highway Safety Priorities in Louisville, Kentucky, where Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao gave the keynote address.  

"Safety will always be the Department’s top priority, and we applaud the highway safety professionals who keep us safe,” said Secretary Chao.

The Lifesavers Conference on Highway Safety Priorities is the largest annual gathering of highway safety professionals in the United States. The awards recognize and honor individuals and organizations for achievements in the field of traffic safety. 

“These partners have shown exemplary commitment to NHTSA’s mission to save lives, and we thank them for their dedication to their lifesaving work. They are truly an example of how highway safety professionals can work together to make a difference on our roads and across our cities, states, and nation,” King said. 

Deputy Administrator King presented the NHTSA Public Service Award winners with plaques engraved with the following citations:

Howard Hedegard, highway traffic safety specialist, Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire: In recognition of your tireless efforts to promote safer driving behaviors and protect children and teenagers in New Hampshire.

Lolita Hill, president and chief executive officer, L. Hill & Associates, Jacksonville, Florida: In appreciation and recognition of your outstanding contributions and commitment to the Drug Evaluation and Classification program.

Judge Mary Jane Knisely, Billings, Montana: In recognition of your outstanding judicial outreach efforts and your leadership in your courtroom, your region, and across the nation.

Kemp Layden, traffic unit detective, Phoenix Police Department, Phoenix, Arizona: For your commitment to impaired driving enforcement and inspiring other officers to save lives by removing impaired drivers from Arizona’s roads.

Amy Miles, Forensic Toxicology Program director, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, Wisconsin: In recognition of your forensic toxicology expertise, leadership, and passion in support of state and national efforts to address drug-impaired driving.

Chief (Retired) Anthony Parenti, executive director, New Jersey Police Traffic Officers Association, Vorhees, New Jersey: In recognition of your work establishing the New Jersey Police Traffic Officers Association and a career dedicated to traffic safety.

Mark Stodola, probation fellow, American Probation and Parole Association, Lexington, Kentucky: In recognition of your service, dedication, and commitment to reducing impaired driving and DWI recidivism across the United States.

Mayor Carrie Tergin, Jefferson City, Missouri: For your leadership and heartfelt dedication to promoting traffic safety programs and reducing motor vehicle deaths and injuries in Missouri.

Sergeant Kevin Wallace, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, Greensboro, North Carolina: For your exceptional commitment to implementing impaired-driving and occupant protection programs in North Carolina.

Robert Wunderlich, Center for Transportation Safety director, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, Texas: For your dedication to saving lives on our highways by championing data-driven traffic safety initiatives.

Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Cheyenne, Wyoming: In recognition of your creation of a technical assistance team in support of administrative license revocation cases in Wyoming.

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