The Vermont Agency of Transportation State Highway Safety Office (SHSO) and the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance (VHSA) held the annual Highway Safety Awards ceremony at the Vermont State House yesterday. The awards are presented to highway safety professionals around the state for their exceptional work and commitment to keeping Vermont’s roadways safe for all users.
“Vermont’s extensive network of highway safety professionals is committed to keeping our roadways safe for all users,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “Yesterday (October 20th, 2021) we recognized the outstanding contributions they have made toward reducing fatalities and crashes. We wish to thank not only these winners but also every highway safety professional in the area of enforcement, education, engineering, and emergency medical services for their lifesaving work.”
The SHSO presented ten Highway Safety Awards, and the VHSA presented 14 awards. The awards were presented by Secretary Flynn, AOT SHSO Administrator Allison Laflamme, and VHSA Executive Director Sue Hoxie.
2021 VTrans Highway Safety Awards Recipients:
Drug Recognition Expert Award
Trooper Clay Knight, Vermont State Police
Fletcher Brush Educational Outreach Award
HMC Advertising; Amy Tatko, VTrans; and Rachel Noyes, VTrans
Highway Safety Achievement Award
Justice Brian L. Burgess, Vermont Supreme Court, NHTSA
Impaired Driving Prevention and Enforcement Award
Heather Gray, Esq., Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs
Ruby Rainault Occupant Protection Award
Sheriff Ray Allen, Lieutenant Donna Polk, and Bridget Campbell, Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department
Sergeant Michael Johnson Lifesaver Award
Chief Ron Hoague, Essex Police Department
2021 Vermont Highway Safety Alliance Award Recipients:
Highway Safety Champion Award
Lieutenant Tara Thomas, Vermont State Police
Highway Safety Champion Award
Bruce Nyquist, P.E., WSP
Highway Safety Champion Award
Bill Mitchell, Ride Safe Vermont
Highway Safety Champion Award
Doug Masson, AARP (retired)
Highway Safety Engineering Award
Aaron Guyette, VHB; Gordy Eastman, WSP; Tim Pockette, GPI Construction; Jonathan Griffin, VTrans
Highway Safety Chairman’s Award
Brian Mackay, Jason Gould, Chad Stacey, and Dan Anthony, Caps4Cops/Helmets From Heroes
Emergency Medical Services Award
Michael Tarbell, Rutland Regional Ambulance Service
Crossing Guard Award
Michelle Pitzner, Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools
In Federal Fiscal Year 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the State of Vermont $6.4 million for highway safety behavior change programs. The SHSO awards federal highway safety grant funds to local, state, and non-profit agencies for projects to improve highway safety and reduce deaths and serious injuries due to crashes. More information about the SHSO and the awards can be found at https://shso.vermont.gov/.
Thank you to all of our Highway Safety partners who continue to work to make our roads safer for all road users.