GHSA Highway Safety Awards
2011 Award Winners
Awards were presented on Tuesday, Sept. 27, in conjunction with the 2011 GHSA Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The 2011 James J. Howard Highway Safety Trailblazer Award Winner
Dr. Herb Simpson—The 2011 James J. Howard Highway Safety Trailblazer Award is presented posthumously to Dr. Herb Simpson for his outstanding contributions to the field of highway safety through his groundbreaking research. Dr. Simpson served as President and CEO of the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) from 1975 to 2006.
Despite significant health challenges, he continued to contribute to research and mentor staff as Senior Research and Policy Consultant, until his untimely death at the age of 71 on April 25, 2011. Learn More
The 2011 Kathryn J.R. Swanson Public Service Award Winner
Marlene Klein Markison—The 2011 Kathryn J.R. Swanson Public Service Award is presented to Marlene Klein Markison for her commitment to advancing effective highway safety programs across the country. Markison served as Associate Administrator for Regional Operations and Program Delivery (ROPD) at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from 2003 to 2010.
During her remarkable 40-year career, Markison worked hard to make things better. Her steady and calm presence assured a successful transition to more performance-based programs, including triennial management reviews, voluntary implementation of standardized highway safety plan performance measures, and an enduring partnership designed to improve the management and efficiencies in state highway safety offices nationwide. Learn More
The 2011 Peter K. O'Rourke Special Achievement Award Winners
AARP Driver Safety Program—The AARP Driver Safety Program (DSP) provides all drivers – especially those 50 years of age and older – with instruction to help improve their driving skills, drive crash-free, sustain mobility and maintain independence. Established in 1979, it is the largest and oldest driver safety program for people age 50 or older.
The program receives no public or private funding; it is self-funded through course fees and support by AARP. The class is offered in both a traditional classroom setting and online. The online course is available 24/7 and is supported by a call center and live chat. Both are available in Spanish. Learn More
Traffic Safety Coalition—Launched in 2010 in resonse to attempts to outlaw traffic safety cameras in Illinois, the Traffic Safety Coalition (TSC) quickly assembled a diverse group of safety advocates to conduct a vast education and advocacy program to show how traffic safety cameras are effective at deterring dangerous and illegal driving behavior.
In the end, the bill to ban traffic safety cameras did not pass, and the Traffic Safety Coalition preserved Illinois communities’ ability to utilize safety cameras as critical tools to minimize injuries and fatalities in the state. Learn More
Missouri Traffic and Highway Safety Division—Last year, Missouri saw its fifth consecutive year of decreases in traffic fatalities and disabling injuries, with 821 fatalities and 6,046 serious injuries reported. Because of this progress, 57 more Missourians and visitors arrived at their destination alive, compared to 2009. The Missouri Traffic and Highway Safety Division led the charge toward this downward trend.
Recognizing that a cooperative effort was necessary to save lives and reduce injuries on Missouri roadways, the Traffic and Highway Safety Division launched a statewide coalition bringing together safety advocates, law enforcement agencies, engineers, EMS workers, educators, and community members. Learn More
No Refusal Program—The No Refusal program uses police, prosecutors, judges, and medical professionals to obtain search warrants for blood samples from suspected impaired drivers who refuse breath tests.
During specified periods, prosecutors and judges are on call to issue search warrants that enable law enforcement to legally acquire blood samples to present solid, scientific evidence in court. The program has brought police, prosecutors, nurses and judges together toward a common cause. It has clearly been successful in preventing death and tragedy on Texas roadways, and it continues expand across the nation. Learn More
Teens in the Driver Seat—Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) is a peer-to-peer safety program for young drivers. It was implemented to bring a fresh approach to teen driver safety, making teens directly responsible for both the development and delivery of traffic safety messages to their peers.
TDS differs from other safety programs in two ways. First, it focuses on all of the major risks for teen drivers instead of focusing exclusively on alcohol or any other single factor. Second, it relies on members of the target audience to develop and deliver messages to their peers. Learn More
2011 Award Selection Committee Members
- Joseph Cristalli, Jr.
Transportation Principal Safety Program Coordinator, Connecticut Highway Safety Office - Therese Matanane
Program Coordinator IV, Guam Office of Highway Safety - Kevin Behrens
Interim Director, Oklahoma Highway Safety Office - Troy E. Costales
Administrator, Transportation Safety Division, Oregon Department of Transportation
Vice Chairman, GHSA - Phil Riley
Director, South Carolina Office of Highway Safety - Vicki Harper*
Public Affairs Specialist, State Farm® - Barbara Harsha**
Executive Director, Governors Highway Safety Association
*Representing GHSA's Associate Members
**Non-voting member