Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) presented the NHTSA Public Service Awards to recognize and honor individuals and organizations for achievements in the field of traffic safety.  The awards were presented at the 2018 Lifesavers Conference on Highway Safety Priorities (April 22-24), the largest annual gathering of highway safety professionals in the United States.

"Today, we celebrate and thank our hard-working partners who exemplify the highest levels of dedication to improving highway safety throughout the country,” said Heidi King, NHTSA Deputy Administrator.  “We thank them for their service, for the difference they have made, and for the example they are setting for others."

Below are the names of the NHTSA Public Service Award winners with their plaque citations:

Patrick Moody/ Manager of Public Affairs, AAA Northern New England - Portland, ME: In recognition of your advocacy and dedication to traffic safety in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.                                        

Ben Lieberman/ Co-Founder, DORCS (Distracted Operators Risk Casualties) - Chappaqua, New York: In recognition of your dedication and commitment to successfully advocating for stronger distracted-driving laws in New York.

Amy Carney/ Captain, Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department - Sykesville, MD: For your dedication and passion to traffic safety education and awareness.

Arlinda Page/ Senior Police Officer, Metropolitan Police Department - Washington, DC: For your outstanding commitment to traffic safety education and enforcement programs in our nation’s capital.

Leroy Smith/ Captain, Saraland Police Department - Saraland, AL: In recognition of your commitment to reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities by providing training and technical assistance to ensure the safety of children riding in motor vehicles.

The Honorable Phyllis McMillen/ Judge, 3rd Circuit Court, State of Michigan - Waterford, MI: In recognition of your leadership in the creation of DUI courts and in your judicial outreach efforts.

George and Marilyn Murphy/ Co-founders, MADD Morgan County Chapter - South Jacksonville, IL: For more than three decades of volunteer service in honor of your daughter Kellie’s memory, resulting in improved impaired-driving laws and lives saved in Illinois.

Michael C. Thompson / Commissioner (Retired), Oklahoma Department of Public Safety - Oklahoma City, OK: In recognition of your tireless efforts and career long dedication to traffic safety

Anita Boatman/ Director, Office of Driver’s Services - Little Rock, AR: In recognition and appreciation of your outstanding leadership in advancing key traffic safety initiatives to reduce motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries in Arkansas.

Jennifer Harmon/ Assistant Director, Orange County Crime Lab - Santa Ana, CA: In recognition of your leadership, expertise, and dedication in drug testing, screening, and testimony.

Gina Bagnariol-Benevides/ Sister of Jody Bagnariol - Auburn, WA; Lavera Wade/ Grandmother of Sam Thompson - Spokane Valley, WA; Tina Meyer/ Mother of Cody Meyer - Arlington, WA: In recognition of your dedication and commitment to successfully advocating for stronger distracted-driving laws in the Washington.

Dale Stockton, Executive Director, Office of Research and Program Development/ Below 100 - Tucson, AZ: In recognition of “Below 100” and your extraordinary leadership, dedication, perseverance, and tireless commitment to the safety of our nation’s law enforcement officers.

Sober 24 Program/ Chief Joe Ingraham, Washoe County Department of Alternative Sentencing - Reno, NV: In recognition of Sober 24 program’s innovation in combining twice-daily drug and alcohol testing for DUI and DUID offenders and recovery services.

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