NHTSA Administrator Presents Awards At Lifesavers Conference For Safety Accomplishments

Topics:  Lifesavers, Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
June 11, 2002

NHTSA 46-02
Tuesday, June 11, 2002
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL -- Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D., Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), today presented the 2002 NHTSA Awards for Public Service during the annual Lifesavers Conference in Lake Buena Vista, FL to 14 individuals and organizations exemplifying high standards of achievement in the field of traffic safety.

Lifesavers 2002 is a national three-day conference on highway safety priorities, attended by more than 1,600 people participating in more than 50 workshops and viewing more than 70 exhibits of traffic safety products and programs.

People from the public and private sectors concerned with traffic safety are attending the Lifesavers conference to share information on a range of topics from occupant protection and impaired driving to roadway safety and vehicle technology. Attendees represent community traffic safety programs, state and local emergency medical services, injury prevention programs, state and local law enforcement, federal and state highway agencies, prosecutors and judges, and the automotive and insurance industries.

The following individuals and organizations received NHTSA awards for public service:

Lt. Don Bickel, Indianapolis Police Department, Indianapolis
Bickel is a leader and champion of Enforcement Zones in Indiana and the United States.

Allan F. Williams, Ph.D., Chief Scientist, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,
Arlington, VA
Williams was recognized for the many significant contributions he has made to the traffic safety community during his career with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Youth Court Program of the American Probation and Parole Association
The association has implemented and expanded youth court programs nationally for the prevention of underage drinking and impaired driving.

Col. L. M. Claiborne Jr., Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, Jackson, MS
Claiborne provided leadership during the Region IV "Click It or Ticket" Campaign that resulted in the largest single traffic fatality reduction in Mississippi's history.

Robert P. Murray, Senior VP, Corporate Affairs, AAA Southern New England, Providence, RI
Murray has been a strong supporter and promoter of highway safety programs in partnership with NHTSA that have resulted in an improved quality of life for the people of New England.

Janette Fennell, Executive Director, KIDS 'N CARS, San Francisco
Fennel is the founder of Kids 'N Cars in San Francisco. This organization draws national attention to the tragedy of children being injured, disabled and killed in and around motor vehicles in non-crash events.

Frankie Shelton, Beckley Police Department, Beckley, WV
Patrolman Shelton was recognized as a dedicated and effective law enforcement officer committed to saving lives and reducing injuries among the citizens of Beckley.

Diane Guerttman, SAFE KIDS/Safe Communities Coordinator, Wyoming Medical Center Foundation, Casper, WY
Guerttman implemented occupant protection and impaired driving initiatives that significantly improved the quality of life in Casper and in Central Wyoming.

TEAM Coalition, Inc.
The coalition was recognized for outstanding achievement in providing an alcohol service training and fan education program across the country to facilities to improve the public's safety at events

Dr. Todd G. Thoma, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Thoma was cited for working tirelessly to reduce traffic deaths and injuries in Louisiana through countless hours of volunteer time to educate the public, law enforcement, students, and legislators on the tragedies of unsafe driving.

Keith Hinch, Project Manager, National Conference of Black Mayors, Inc., Atlanta
Hinch has provided dedicated service to increasing seat belt use among African Americans and has fostered partnerships between the National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) and the traffic safety community.

Miguel Angel Blanco, Marketing Manager, EL AGUILA Newspaper, White Plains, NY
Blanco saw a way his newspaper through news articles could promote a safer and healthier lifestyle for the Hispanic Community in New York and acted on his concern.

Phyllis J. Smith, Founder, Seatbelt Awareness for Everyone (SAFE), Caldwell, ID
As founder of "Seatbelt Awareness For Everyone," Smith helped raise Idaho's awareness of the need for seat belt use.

R. Dale Findlay, Executive Director, Missouri Safety Council, Jefferson City, MO
Findlay provided leadership in advancing traffic safety legislation and initiatives in the State of Missouri.

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